Nine Islamist fighters belonging to the terror organization affiliated to ISIS locally identified as al-Shabaab have been killed in the extreme north of Mozambique during fierce clashes with the army. The Al-Shabaab has pledged allegiance to ISIS and is part of the emerging Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP).
The army operation targeted a jihadist camp in the forests near the village of Mitope, in the district of Mocimboa da Praia which is considered the most important insurgent base in the region.
The al-Shabaab jihadists have increased the deadly attacks in Cabo Delgado for two years, killing at least 300 civilians and leaving tens of thousands displaced. The conflict has mainly increased due to the scramble for control of the natural resource-rich province. The government of President Filipe Nyusi has deployed significant reinforcements in the region, which is home to large submarine gas reserves, and promised to eradicate these Islamists.
The incursion in the region by the Mozambique military comes as reports indicate the arrival of Russian personnel and military equipment in the past week. Russia and Mozambique signed an energy and security agreement that would facilitate bilateral cooperation. Russia is expected to offer military advisors to help the African nation deal with the growing insurgency in the north that has been pooling recruits from East, Central and Great Lakes regions of Africa to fight with ISCAP.
