Mozambique’s Islamic terror group, Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama popularly known as al-Shabaab killed at least 16 people and injured at least 10 others in a guerrilla-style ambush in northern Cabo Delgado region. The attack is being considered as the deadliest attack by the terrorists yet since October 2017 when it began its violent campaign.
HUMINT reveals that a Mitsubishi truck carrying passengers and goods was ambushed on a dirt road in the coastal district of Macomia by attackers who threw home-made explosives into the truck before open firing killing the 16 people among them 3 soldiers deployed as security.
During the month of May which coincided with Muslim’s Holy Month of Ramadhan independent sources recorded at least 14 attacks that resulted in over 40 deaths. The militants regularly attack villages, kill local people and burn houses.
Mozambique’s President Filipe Nyusi has vowed to “neutralize” the threat and sent heavy reinforcements to the region where hundreds of people have been arrested. Muslim-majority Cabo Delgado province is expected to become the center of a natural gas industry after promising offshore discoveries near Palma.
Recent intelligence indicates that Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama leadership has links to Islamist groups based in Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya and DRC, where some also received training.
