At Least Nine Children Killed in Brutal Armed Attack in Eastern DRC: UNICEF Condemns Violence in Ituri Province.
KINSHASA:
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned the killing of at least nine children during a brutal armed attack in the town of Komanda, located in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The assault, which occurred during the night of 26–27 July, has been described by UNICEF as “senseless and abhorrent.”
“This onslaught is a horrifying reminder of the cost of conflict on children,” UNICEF said in a statement issued from Kinshasa. “Children must never be the targets of an attack.”
UNICEF called for immediate accountability, demanding that those responsible for the atrocity be brought to justice and not allowed to act with impunity.
Children Caught in Crossfire of Escalating Violence
The attack comes amid a worrying escalation in violence between armed groups in Ituri Province — one of the DRC’s most volatile regions. The province has seen a surge in intercommunal and militia-related clashes in recent months, further deteriorating an already fragile humanitarian landscape.
UNICEF warns that this growing insecurity is hampering efforts to provide essential humanitarian support, particularly for children who are among the most vulnerable.
“The uptick in violence is worsening an already dire situation,” the statement reads. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for UNICEF and partners to reach those most in need – and children, as ever, are bearing the brunt.”
Humanitarian Access at Risk
Humanitarian agencies, including UNICEF, have long struggled with limited access in conflict-affected areas of eastern DRC. Insecurity, poor infrastructure, and targeted violence against aid workers and civilians continue to restrict relief operations, making it nearly impossible to deliver food, healthcare, protection, and education services to displaced and traumatized populations.
Eastern DRC, and Ituri in particular, remain hotspots for ethnic tensions and militia activity. In the past year, dozens of children have been reported killed, maimed, or abducted in attacks on villages, schools, and health centers.
A Call for Peace and Protection
UNICEF extended condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated its call for peace in Ituri and across eastern DRC. The agency urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, especially the obligation to protect civilians — particularly children — during hostilities.
“We call for peace for children in Ituri and eastern DRC now,” the statement concluded.
Background
According to the UN, over 6.9 million people are displaced across the DRC, with a large proportion concentrated in the east due to ongoing conflict. Thousands of children have been separated from their families, forcibly recruited by armed groups, or denied access to basic services.
Despite international attention and peacekeeping efforts, the security situation in Ituri remains precarious, and incidents like the Komanda massacre reflect the urgent need for renewed diplomatic engagement, protection of civilians, and justice for victims.
