In 2017, the insurgent group Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama staged their first attack. During this attack, they beheaded several victims. The group carried out numerous other attacks during the course of the year. Because the group never attacked an area and left without carrying out beheadings, they got known across Mozambique for that. In June 2019, Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama declared allegiance to the Islamic State. Since then, they have massively stepped up their attacks in both scale and frequency.
Capture of Mocimboa da Praia
Cabo Delgado Mozambique’s northernmost province houses numerous gas developments worth some $60 billion. Some have speculated that the conflict in northern Mozambique will persist because it is beyond religion and has some economic aspects to it as well. The militants look to control the gas-rich Cabo Delgado region and take ownership of oil and gas companies’ investment projects in the area. Because of this, the jihadists have gathered pace this year. They have been taking on the army and seizing entire towns regularly.
In August this year, they captured the key town of Mocimboa da Praia only 60 kilometers from the gas developments. Reports from Mozambique disclosed Islamic militants invaded nine villages. The villages belonged to the northern districts of Mocimboa da Prais and Macomia of Cabo Delgado.
Beheadings in Mocimboa da Prais and Macomia
During an attack on one village in Mocimboa da Praia, the Islamic militants beheaded one man at a flour mill. Afterward, they stole food and livestock and left. On the next day, after they had killed the man, they returned to steal more food.
In another attack in Mocimboa da Prais, a group of men hooded with Islamic handkerchiefs and carrying weapons invaded one village known as Tandacua in Macomia. The attackers arrived at around 6 in the evening (local time), according to locals. One local said the Islamists were searching for food when they attacked. Numerous people ended up fleeing the village and their homes, seeking safety in nearby woods. During the daytime, when the residents returned, they found eight dead people who had their heads cut off.
Recapture of Muidumbe Village
This week, however, the government announced Mozambique troops had recaptured the northern village of Muidumbe from Islamist insurgents. The local media in Mozambique had reported a spate of beheadings by insurgents in the area. Over 1,000 soldiers marched to Muidumbe district headquarters and expelled those who had occupied it. During the recapture, 16 insurgents were killed, and the soldiers destroyed some of the militant’s logistics. Police general commander Bernardino Rafael congratulated the men in Muidume for their victory, but warned they had not won yet.
The government of Mozambique is yet to announce the recapture of the town Mocimboa da Praia. The insurgents continue to capture many other villages in the region. Cabo Delgado residents expect that the group will continue to cause havoc and conflict in Mozambique for a long time. Some of these militants penetrate Cabo Delgado by sea and across the border with Tanzania. Observers have even stated that some militants causing conflict in the north of Mozambique are Tanzanian nationals.
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