Mozambique-Rwanda Joint Operation Halts Insurgents’ Advance South of Macomia

- A military response was finally launched after days of consecutive terrorist attacks

- The United Nations Security Council estimates around 300 active male fighters in Cabo Delgado

By Noémia Mendes

Maputo (MOZTIMES) – Intense clashes were reported on Wednesday, 12 February, between the Islamic State-backed jihadist insurgent groups and joint military forces from Mozambique and Rwanda in the administrative post of Chai, in the northern part of Macomia district, Cabo Delgado.

The attacks began at around 16.00 and continued into the night, according to military sources.

The confrontations follow days of successive insurgent attacks on villages in northern Macomia, with no effective response from Mozambican and Rwandan troops, who are deployed to combat terrorism in the region.

However, on Wednesday afternoon, when insurgents invaded Litamanda village, in Chai administrative post, Rwandan forces stationed nearby responded, supported by units of the Mozambique Armed Forces (FADM). According to military sources, the insurgents attack villages to loot food supplies, as they are facing severe hunger in their bases.

There have been no reports of fatalities so far, but residents from the villages of Lidandacua, Miangalewa, Xitaxi, and the headquarters of Chidunta, in Muidumbe district, are fleeing.

A military source stated there are suspicions that the group is planning to advance southwards towards Macomia town, where a significant number of internally displaced people are concentrated and commercial activities could become targets for looting.

The insurgents have successfully attacked Macomia town twice before. The last incident occurred in May 2024, when they looted warehouses belonging to humanitarian aid organisations and kidnapped workers from international non-governmental organisations, later demanding ransom for their release.

“The situation remains tense, and military authorities are assessing the best ways to respond to the growing threat in the region,” a military source said.

A recent report from the United Nations Security Council, dated 6 February 2025, assesses the current state of the global terrorist threat and estimates that in Cabo Delgado the group Ahl al-Sunna wal Jama‘a (ASWJ) had between 200 and 300 adult fighters between June and September 2024.

The report further indicates that ASWJ was led by Ulanga, also known as Abu Zainabo, a Tanzanian national who served as the spiritual leader, while Farido Suleiman Haruni, also known as Farido Suleimane Arune, was the operational commander.

However, citing information from member states, the UN Security Council noted that food insecurity was a critical issue for ASWJ and that its fighters had stepped up their raids to secure food supplies.

“The group’s excessive looting coupled with the reality in their camps did not indicate cash flows or material support to fighters”, reads the report adding that member states assessed this as a sign that the group’s funding was largely self-generated. (NM).

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