In a devastating act of violence, at least 49 Christians were killed by Islamist extremists during a church service in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on July 27, 2025.
According to Fox News, on that tragic Sunday, members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a rebel group linked to the Islamic State, stormed a church in Komanda village, killing worshipers with machetes, abducting children, and leaving the community in ruins.
The attack occurred in Komanda, a village in the eastern part of the DRC, during a special church event. The congregation was marking the Silver Jubilee of their church, drawing worshipers from nearby areas to pray for peace amid ongoing regional insecurity. Tragically, the celebration turned into a nightmare as ADF militants entered the church and began their brutal assault.
The attackers wielded machetes, targeting those inside the church hall with ruthless precision. Those who attempted to escape were pursued and killed within the church compound or on nearby roads. Among the 49 victims, nine children were horrifically decapitated during the massacre. In addition to the killings, an unknown number of children were abducted by the militants during the chaos. Most of the Christians killed in the attack were Catholics, according to eyewitness accounts. The ADF, originally based in Uganda, has been sanctioned for its violent activities and ties to extremist ideologies.
Judith, an eyewitness whose name has been changed for safety, described the harrowing scene, saying, "Attackers came in and they beheaded Christians in the church." She added, "Killed those they met in the church hall. Those who tried to flee, they caught them and killed them in the compound." Judith continued, "And then some others who managed to run towards the road, those also were caught and killed. All of them were killed with machetes. Most of those Christians who were killed, were Catholics."
Hours after the attack, survivors and a local partner from Open Doors UK witnessed the devastation in Komanda. The village bore scars of the violence, with burned shops and homes, as villagers gathered in somber groups. Judith noted, "In Komanda there were no activities, and people were standing in groups around the shops and the places that had been burnt. And people were sad. There was sadness everywhere."
On Monday, July 28, 2025, a funeral was held for the victims, many of whom were buried in a mass grave dug with equipment provided by the U.N.’s MONUSCO mission. Some of those buried had previously fled to Komanda seeking safety from earlier attacks in other regions. Judith described the funeral’s heartbreaking atmosphere, saying, "People were crying, weeping, some crying for their children who had been kidnapped."
She added, "One woman cried for the man she was shortly due to marry, now lying dead." Judith continued, "Others were also crying that this is the person that was taking care of me. Now the person is no more. There was sadness upon sadness everywhere. Everything they had is lost, they have nothing now."
The Komanda massacre is part of a broader wave of violence against Christians in the DRC and beyond. Open Doors reports that over 80 local villagers, mostly Christians, have been killed in other attacks in the DRC during July 2025 alone. Across Sub-Saharan Africa, more than 16 million Christians have been displaced due to such violence, according to the organization.
Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, highlighted the severity of the crisis, stating, "This is a crisis of biblical proportions. This is a silent slaughter happening, which nobody is discussing." She added, "It's like the slaughter of the innocents in the Bible, really. I mean, women and children are being targeted along with men. Nobody is reporting on it. Nobody even seems to be particularly concerned about it."
Blyth also shared the dire circumstances faced by many, saying, "Christians are not even sleeping in their houses at night. They would rather sleep in the jungle at risk of wild animals than be sitting ducks in their houses when the extremists attack." She continued, "In Sub-Saharan Africa, we think that more than 16 million Christians have been displaced as a result of the violence. The church is on the run. Christians are snatching up their children and running for their lives, often at night."
Following the attack, the ADF militants retreated to a location just a few miles from Komanda, raising fears of further violence. No arrests have been made, and a local source warned that another attack could happen at any moment. In the DRC, where 80-95% of the population is Christian, Islamist groups are reportedly seeking to establish a caliphate with strict religious laws.
President Donald Trump recently brokered a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, known as the Washington Accords, though it has not yet improved conditions in the eastern DRC. The White House issued a statement through a spokesperson, saying, "The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians in the DRC and is committed to advancing the Washington Accords to bring peace back to the region and end targeted killings." Similarly, a State Department spokesperson affirmed, "We condemn violent extremists targeting Christians who were congregating in prayer. Religious freedom is a fundamental right this Administration strongly supports."
The State Department added, "America stands with all people practicing their faith and will fight for the ability of every human being to do so. The United States remains committed to driving progress toward peace in eastern DRC that allows for the people of the region to return home and realize a more prosperous future." Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, also commented on social media, stating, "This deadly escalation in their targeting of Christians makes the peace process, championed by @POTUS and @SecRubio even more urgent. We must focus all energies on eradicating these ISIS terrorists and forging a new regional economic path." Jo Newhouse, a Sub-Sahara specialist for Open Doors, urged, "This is not an isolated event. We need the U.S. to pay attention about what is happening and use your influence for the church here. Do not be blind to what is happening here. Pay attention."