Authorities reported on Sunday that rebels in eastern Congo had killed a minimum of 19 individuals and set ablaze a health center and several houses.

Carly Nzanzu, the ex-governor of North Kivu province, stated in an interview with state media that armed individuals, believed to be members of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia that has connections to the Islamic State group, assaulted civilians in Kirindera town, the Associated Press reported.

In the past few days, ADF assaults have claimed the lives of numerous individuals in multiple North Kivu villages. According to Congo’s authorities, the victims were brutally attacked using guns, knives, and machetes.

On Saturday, Aamaq, a news agency affiliated with the Islamic State group, released a statement in which IS claimed accountability for the death of over 35 “Christians” and the injuring of several others in eastern Congo the previous week.

For several decades, there has been a simmering conflict in eastern Congo, with over 120 armed groups fighting for control, authority, and resources, with some aiming to safeguard their communities, as reported by the AP.

The ADF has mainly been active in North Kivu province, but it has recently expanded its activities into the adjacent Ituri province.

Written by staff