At least 15 people, including two soldiers, were killed in an attack carried out by militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), an armed group linked to the Islamic State, on three villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, according to local officials and military sources.

The attack took place late Thursday night, targeting the villages of Katanga, Maindilo and Kelong in the Lubero area of North Kivu province.

The ADF, which originated from former Ugandan rebel groups and later pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, has been accused of carrying out repeated attacks against civilians and security forces in eastern Congo.