Local authorities have begun to bury the victims and implement new security measures," ACN said in a Sept. 17 statement. In 2019, the militant group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and increased its attacks. "The group has been responsible for a number of massacres in eastern Congo, which have been characterized by their extreme violence against civilians, especially Christians," ACN said. At least 43 people, including children, were killed July 27 in a brutal overnight attack on a Catholic church in Komanda in eastern Congo. AdvertisementACN called for prayers "for the victims of this new atrocity, for their families and for the entire Christian community."