ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has condemned the deadly attack against civilians in North Kivu Province of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

About 80 people were killed overnight from Monday to Tuesday in the village of Ntoyo in an attack blamed on Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels, local authorities confirmed to Xinhua.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, the head of the 55-member continental organization expressed "deep shock" over the deadly attack.

"The chairperson strongly condemns this heinous terrorist attack, as well as the recurrent violence that continues to target civilians in eastern DRC," the AU statement read.

Noting that such acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights, the AUC chief urged that the perpetrators be identified and held accountable to end the prevailing climate of impunity that fuels the recurrence of similar atrocities.

Youssouf reiterated the AU's solidarity with the government and people of the DRC "in these painful circumstances," further reaffirming the AU's "unwavering commitment" to supporting national, regional, and international efforts aimed at restoring peace, security, and stability in the wider Great Lakes region.

According to local officials, the attack targeted a funeral gathering in Ntoyo, leaving a provisional death toll of around 80, while several people remain missing or were taken hostage by the assailants.

The ADF, an Islamic State affiliate in Central Africa and a Ugandan-origin armed group, has escalated assaults on villages in North Kivu and Ituri provinces in recent months, mainly targeting civilians.

According to the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, the assaults claimed at least 52 lives between Aug. 9 and 16 in North Kivu. In late July, some 40 civilians were killed during an attack on a Catholic church in Ituri. ■