ISCAP Continue Violent Campaign In DRC And Mozambique; Threat Heightened By New Camps, High-Tech Weapons And Change In Tactics

East and Central Africa have become the theatre for Islamic State attacks in a rapid and observable surge in the number and frequency of attacks. In the week ending the month of May, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique where ISCAP is operational have recorded a trend that shows the resurgence of the terror organization that has been creating headway in the way of legitimizing the ISIS agenda in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is fundamental to note both groups in Mozambique and DRC have been seemingly thrived because of an extensive laxity by local militaries to address the growing unrest with the minimization of the threat caused by ‘small’ militias with terrorists’ affiliation.

Both wings of ISCAP have shown a trend that shows a rejuvenation and change in MO that could prove elusive especially in Mozambique where the group is steadily taking an approach similar to al Shabaab that sought legitimacy and voluntary as well as coerced cooperation from civilian residents of Cabo Delgado Province. In DRC however, the group has continued with a campaign against Christians and security apparatus an MO borrowed from al Shabaab and Abnaa Ul Calipha of Somalia.

The end of May Weekend, ISCAP has recorded several attacks Restive North Kivu and Cabo Delgado Province in DRC and Mozambique respectively. The attacks have left civilians killed, building razed to the ground, and thousands of people homeless and displaced from their villages and towns.

ISCAP Attacks in Mozambique and DRC (29^th May- 2^nd June)

Mozambique

1. 28^th May- 30^th May– ISCAP invaded and took a temporary occupation of Macomia district for a three-day siege. During the three days, the group destroyed markets, burned buildings both public and private, as well as destroying the power substation that services at least 8 districts in Cabo Delgado Province.
2. 31^st May– 8 bodies were discovered in Nanga A neighborhood in Macomia following the end of the 3-day siege by ISCAP with bullet wounds and others beheaded.
3. The three-day temporary occupation claimed at least 7 lives with one being a child who starved to death after fleeing to the bushes to hide from the terrorists.

Democratic Republic of Congo

1. 31^st May– 5 civilians were killed while seven others went missing after ISCAP attacked Mighende village located on Beni-Kasindi Road in Beni territory. The five were stabbed to death by the insurgents.
2. 31^st May– 5 civilians were killed in Masongo and Kathwakasoya villages in the Beni-Mbau sector in Beni, North Kivu. Additionally, a catholic church was burned to the ground in the same sector by ISCAP terrorists.

Notables:

In DRC, the attacks in Mighende indicate that an ASDF camp that was reported by the Congolese authorities to have been destroyed in November 2019 just migrated and is still active and recruiting and training new members. The camp identified as Mwalika was headquartered in Virunga National Park has been the main recruiting camp for the ADF and intelligence indicates that it can support between 100 and 150 fighters at a time depending on supplies. Thus, indicating that the elusive ADF is and could quite possibly have more fighters than previously speculated and as such heightening the threat caused by the ISCAP terror organization in the region.

On the other hand, in Mozambique, while authorities claim to have inflicted casualties on the terrorists killing at least two commanders of Tanzanian descent; Faragi Nankarava alias Ndjoroje and Ambasse alias Amisse it is clear that the terrorists have a tactical advantage over the troops and police. Fighters have been documented with high-tech weapons and armored vehicles that have on numerous occasions lead the military to withdraw from their posts. The threat of ISCAP in Mozambique can only be reiterated further by the three-day siege by the group in Macomia that lead to at least seven deaths and millions worth of property damage. The group is gradually asserting itself as a formidable opponent in the restive north that requires stringent and rapid response to ensure that it does not cross borders as evidence a strong Tanzanian leadership within the group.