At least seven people died in riots in North Kivu province in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, African media reported.
The incident occurred after people took to the streets to protest a surge in deadly attacks by suspected Islamist rebels. The Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an Islamic State-linked rebel group, allegedly killed more than 40 people in an attack on the village of Mayikengo this week. They also allegedly killed 80 people in attacks on other villages in the province the previous week.
Insecurity intensified public discontent, leading to the killing of two soldiers and their driver in Lubero territory. A crowd set fire to their vehicle on Friday night, according to local official Julio Mabanga.
On Saturday, further clashes in the area between security forces and locals led to the deaths of three more people: a civilian, a soldier, and an ANR national intelligence service agent.
A similar protest erupted in the city of Butembo on Saturday, when hundreds of young people took to the streets with sticks, chanting and singing songs denouncing widespread insecurity.
Butembo Mayor Mowa Baeki Telly confirmed that a civilian had been killed during clashes between security forces and protesters in the city.
The ADF originated in neighbouring Uganda but now housed in the mineral-rich eastern Congo. They pledged allegiance to Islamic State and carried out frequent attacks, further destabilising a region where many militant groups competed for influence and resources.
The US-based intelligence group SITE monitors militant websites. It reported on Friday that Islamic State issued a communiqué from its so-called Central African province unit in which they claimed responsibility for killing 51 people in attacks in North Kivu that week, according to Reuters. They also claimed to have beheaded more than 60 people in one attack in the province on 7 June.
