IS-backed rebels kill 38 in Congo church attack
The assault in Komanda, a city in the northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday is believed to have been carried out by Allied Democratic Forces rebels, wielding guns and machetes, officials told Reuters.
Jean Kato, an official in the city administration, said worshippers were taking part in a night mass when the rebels stormed the church in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Thirty-eight people were dead, 15 injured and several others were still missing, officials said.
Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda, said shots were heard overnight but people at first thought it was thieves.
"The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church," Munyanderu said.
"Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets."
The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo has condemned a recent resurgence in violence in the province where this attack happened.
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The Advertiser
39 minutes ago
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Thai-Cambodia shelling ongoing despite Trump truce call
Cambodia and Thailand each say the other has launched artillery attacks across contested border areas hours after US President Donald Trump said both leaders had agreed to work on a ceasefire. Cambodia said it fully endorsed Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire. Thailand said while it was grateful to the US president, it could not begin talks while Cambodia was targeting its civilians - a claim Phnom Penh has denied. "Our condition is that we do not want a third country but are thankful for his (Trump's) concern," Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters. "We've proposed a bilateral between our foreign ministers to conclude the conditions for a ceasefire and drawing back troops and long-range weapons." The government later said Wechayachai would lead a delegation to Kuala Lumpur on Monday for negotiations over the border dispute. It said Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, told Thailand Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also attend the meeting. Cambodia said Thailand had started hostilities on Sunday morning and Thai forces were mobilising along the border. Thailand said it had responded to attacks from Cambodia. "I made it clear to honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting he had also agreed to Malaysia's earlier ceasefire proposal. Four days after the worst fighting in more than a decade broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbours, the death toll stood at more than 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia. More than 200,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries, authorities said. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at points along the border. The ministry's spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at historic temple complexes. The Thai army said Cambodian forces had fired shots into several areas early on Sunday and were mobilising long-range rocket launchers. The governor of Surin told Reuters artillery shells had been fired into the province. "The soldiers will continue to do their job at full steam - so Thais do not worry - until the government has reached a clear agreement that there is no danger for the people and to ensure we maintain the country's interests in order to bring the peace we want to see," Phumtham said. Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and they had agreed to meet immediately to work out a ceasefire. Bangkok and Phnom Penh each say the other started the hostilities last week. "Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace," Trump wrote on social media, adding tariff negotiations with both countries were on hold until the fighting stopped. The countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over un-demarcated points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cambodia said in June it had asked the World Court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction. Cambodia and Thailand each say the other has launched artillery attacks across contested border areas hours after US President Donald Trump said both leaders had agreed to work on a ceasefire. Cambodia said it fully endorsed Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire. Thailand said while it was grateful to the US president, it could not begin talks while Cambodia was targeting its civilians - a claim Phnom Penh has denied. "Our condition is that we do not want a third country but are thankful for his (Trump's) concern," Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters. "We've proposed a bilateral between our foreign ministers to conclude the conditions for a ceasefire and drawing back troops and long-range weapons." The government later said Wechayachai would lead a delegation to Kuala Lumpur on Monday for negotiations over the border dispute. It said Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, told Thailand Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also attend the meeting. Cambodia said Thailand had started hostilities on Sunday morning and Thai forces were mobilising along the border. Thailand said it had responded to attacks from Cambodia. "I made it clear to honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting he had also agreed to Malaysia's earlier ceasefire proposal. Four days after the worst fighting in more than a decade broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbours, the death toll stood at more than 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia. More than 200,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries, authorities said. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at points along the border. The ministry's spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at historic temple complexes. The Thai army said Cambodian forces had fired shots into several areas early on Sunday and were mobilising long-range rocket launchers. The governor of Surin told Reuters artillery shells had been fired into the province. "The soldiers will continue to do their job at full steam - so Thais do not worry - until the government has reached a clear agreement that there is no danger for the people and to ensure we maintain the country's interests in order to bring the peace we want to see," Phumtham said. Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and they had agreed to meet immediately to work out a ceasefire. Bangkok and Phnom Penh each say the other started the hostilities last week. "Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace," Trump wrote on social media, adding tariff negotiations with both countries were on hold until the fighting stopped. The countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over un-demarcated points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cambodia said in June it had asked the World Court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction. Cambodia and Thailand each say the other has launched artillery attacks across contested border areas hours after US President Donald Trump said both leaders had agreed to work on a ceasefire. Cambodia said it fully endorsed Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire. Thailand said while it was grateful to the US president, it could not begin talks while Cambodia was targeting its civilians - a claim Phnom Penh has denied. "Our condition is that we do not want a third country but are thankful for his (Trump's) concern," Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters. "We've proposed a bilateral between our foreign ministers to conclude the conditions for a ceasefire and drawing back troops and long-range weapons." The government later said Wechayachai would lead a delegation to Kuala Lumpur on Monday for negotiations over the border dispute. It said Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, told Thailand Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also attend the meeting. Cambodia said Thailand had started hostilities on Sunday morning and Thai forces were mobilising along the border. Thailand said it had responded to attacks from Cambodia. "I made it clear to honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting he had also agreed to Malaysia's earlier ceasefire proposal. Four days after the worst fighting in more than a decade broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbours, the death toll stood at more than 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia. More than 200,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries, authorities said. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at points along the border. The ministry's spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at historic temple complexes. The Thai army said Cambodian forces had fired shots into several areas early on Sunday and were mobilising long-range rocket launchers. The governor of Surin told Reuters artillery shells had been fired into the province. "The soldiers will continue to do their job at full steam - so Thais do not worry - until the government has reached a clear agreement that there is no danger for the people and to ensure we maintain the country's interests in order to bring the peace we want to see," Phumtham said. Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and they had agreed to meet immediately to work out a ceasefire. Bangkok and Phnom Penh each say the other started the hostilities last week. "Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace," Trump wrote on social media, adding tariff negotiations with both countries were on hold until the fighting stopped. The countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over un-demarcated points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cambodia said in June it had asked the World Court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction. Cambodia and Thailand each say the other has launched artillery attacks across contested border areas hours after US President Donald Trump said both leaders had agreed to work on a ceasefire. Cambodia said it fully endorsed Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire. Thailand said while it was grateful to the US president, it could not begin talks while Cambodia was targeting its civilians - a claim Phnom Penh has denied. "Our condition is that we do not want a third country but are thankful for his (Trump's) concern," Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters. "We've proposed a bilateral between our foreign ministers to conclude the conditions for a ceasefire and drawing back troops and long-range weapons." The government later said Wechayachai would lead a delegation to Kuala Lumpur on Monday for negotiations over the border dispute. It said Malaysia, the ASEAN Chair, told Thailand Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also attend the meeting. Cambodia said Thailand had started hostilities on Sunday morning and Thai forces were mobilising along the border. Thailand said it had responded to attacks from Cambodia. "I made it clear to honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting he had also agreed to Malaysia's earlier ceasefire proposal. Four days after the worst fighting in more than a decade broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbours, the death toll stood at more than 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia. More than 200,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries, authorities said. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at points along the border. The ministry's spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at historic temple complexes. The Thai army said Cambodian forces had fired shots into several areas early on Sunday and were mobilising long-range rocket launchers. The governor of Surin told Reuters artillery shells had been fired into the province. "The soldiers will continue to do their job at full steam - so Thais do not worry - until the government has reached a clear agreement that there is no danger for the people and to ensure we maintain the country's interests in order to bring the peace we want to see," Phumtham said. Trump said on Saturday he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and they had agreed to meet immediately to work out a ceasefire. Bangkok and Phnom Penh each say the other started the hostilities last week. "Both parties are looking for an immediate ceasefire and peace," Trump wrote on social media, adding tariff negotiations with both countries were on hold until the fighting stopped. The countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over un-demarcated points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cambodia said in June it had asked the World Court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
IS-backed rebels kill 38 in Congo church attack
Islamic State-backed rebels have killed 38 people in an attack on a church in eastern Congo, city officials say. The assault in Komanda, a city in the northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday is believed to have been carried out by Allied Democratic Forces rebels, wielding guns and machetes, officials told Reuters. Jean Kato, an official in the city administration, said worshippers were taking part in a night mass when the rebels stormed the church in the early hours of Sunday morning. Thirty-eight people were dead, 15 injured and several others were still missing, officials said. Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda, said shots were heard overnight but people at first thought it was thieves. "The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church," Munyanderu said. "Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets." The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo has condemned a recent resurgence in violence in the province where this attack happened. Islamic State-backed rebels have killed 38 people in an attack on a church in eastern Congo, city officials say. The assault in Komanda, a city in the northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday is believed to have been carried out by Allied Democratic Forces rebels, wielding guns and machetes, officials told Reuters. Jean Kato, an official in the city administration, said worshippers were taking part in a night mass when the rebels stormed the church in the early hours of Sunday morning. Thirty-eight people were dead, 15 injured and several others were still missing, officials said. Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda, said shots were heard overnight but people at first thought it was thieves. "The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church," Munyanderu said. "Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets." The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo has condemned a recent resurgence in violence in the province where this attack happened. Islamic State-backed rebels have killed 38 people in an attack on a church in eastern Congo, city officials say. The assault in Komanda, a city in the northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday is believed to have been carried out by Allied Democratic Forces rebels, wielding guns and machetes, officials told Reuters. Jean Kato, an official in the city administration, said worshippers were taking part in a night mass when the rebels stormed the church in the early hours of Sunday morning. Thirty-eight people were dead, 15 injured and several others were still missing, officials said. Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda, said shots were heard overnight but people at first thought it was thieves. "The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church," Munyanderu said. "Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets." The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo has condemned a recent resurgence in violence in the province where this attack happened. Islamic State-backed rebels have killed 38 people in an attack on a church in eastern Congo, city officials say. The assault in Komanda, a city in the northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday is believed to have been carried out by Allied Democratic Forces rebels, wielding guns and machetes, officials told Reuters. Jean Kato, an official in the city administration, said worshippers were taking part in a night mass when the rebels stormed the church in the early hours of Sunday morning. Thirty-eight people were dead, 15 injured and several others were still missing, officials said. Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda, said shots were heard overnight but people at first thought it was thieves. "The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church," Munyanderu said. "Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets." The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo has condemned a recent resurgence in violence in the province where this attack happened.
West Australian
7 hours ago
- West Australian
IS-backed rebels kill 38 in Congo church attack
Islamic State-backed rebels have killed 38 people in an attack on a church in eastern Congo, city officials say. The assault in Komanda, a city in the northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sunday is believed to have been carried out by Allied Democratic Forces rebels, wielding guns and machetes, officials told Reuters. Jean Kato, an official in the city administration, said worshippers were taking part in a night mass when the rebels stormed the church in the early hours of Sunday morning. Thirty-eight people were dead, 15 injured and several others were still missing, officials said. Christophe Munyanderu, a human rights activist present at the scene in Komanda, said shots were heard overnight but people at first thought it was thieves. "The rebels mainly attacked Christians who were spending the night in the Catholic church," Munyanderu said. "Unfortunately, these people were killed with machetes or bullets." The United Nations Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DR Congo has condemned a recent resurgence in violence in the province where this attack happened.
