An attack on a Congolese church killed nearly 40 worshippers. Here’s what to know

Nearly 40 people were killed Sunday in eastern Congo’s Ituri province when rebels stormed a Catholic church during a vigil and opened fire on worshipers, including many women and children.

At least 38 people were confirmed dead in the church while another five were killed in a nearby village.

The victims included 19 men, 15 women and nine children.

The attacks in Komanda town in the conflict-battered region were carried out by the Allied Democratic Force, a rebel group backed by the Islamic State that has mostly targeted villagers in eastern Congo and across the border in Uganda, the Congolese army said.

The ADF arose from tensions in neighboring Uganda

The ADF has roots in Uganda in the 1990s. Following the overthrow of long-term dictator, Idi Amin, a coalition of various discontent groups saw the new government of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni as anti-Muslim.

Since then, the group has grown into a potent force but has been pushed out of Uganda’s