Islamic State Central Africa Province which has been wreaking havoc in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Mozambique and gaining regional and continental traction continues to pose a threat in the Greater Lakes in Region. In the past two weeks, the activities of the group especially in Mozambique continue to show the group’s capability to conduct attacks on several fronts as well as evade casualties even as the government launch attacks. In the restive Cabo Delgado province, the group has created a web of operations that ensure that the group maintains a logistical and tactic advantage over the ill-equipped and stretched-thin military.
ISCAP Attacks in Mozambique (5th June – 18th June)
Mozambique
- 5th June- ISCAP insurgents attacked Imbada in Meluco District beheaded three civilians and looted for supplies after which they left.
- 5th June- the terrorists beheaded one person and indiscriminately fired at refugees at ADPP Junction in Quissanga District who were returning to Macomia.
- 5th June- two fishermen were killed in Ulo who were getting to their boat by ISCAP terrorists.
- 5th June- militants kidnapped girls drawing water from a well in Nabubussi neighborhood of Mocimboa da Praia.
- 8th June- 2 civilians were killed, 3 women kidnapped and the village of Tapara burned with villagers forced to move to BilIbiza village.
- 9th June- 11 people were beheaded in Natugo 2 area of Macomia District.
- 9th June- 7 schoolgirls were kidnapped in the Mitacata area of Macomia District.
- 9th June- 6 people were killed in the Nacutuco area of the Macomia District.
- 9th June- militants burned down homes in Ingoane
- 10th June- 1 civilian was killed in Mitumbate in Mocimboa Da Praia (MDP)
- 11th June- 10 heads of family were killed in Cabora in Macomia
- 12th June- 1 person was beheaded by ICAP in Ingoane in Macomia
- 12th June- 4 passengers were beheaded after they were unable to recite verses from the Quran in Nanjaba in Macomia.
- 13th June- ISCAP and government troops clashed in Chinda in MDP
- 14th June- 4 civilians killed, houses burned and looted in Malinde in MDP
- 17th June- 3 people were killed by insurgents in Chimbanga in MDP
Analysis
In the past two weeks, ISCAP in Mozambique has conducted at least 16 attacks in the various districts of the restive Cabo Delgado with at least 50 casualties, razing down villages and kidnapping at least a dozen women and school girls. The majority of the killings were done via beheading as has become the group’s mode of operation. It is also the first time the group has executed people by calling out their names as well as for failing to recite verses of the Quran. The increased occurrences of the kidnapping of women and girls are drawing from their Sahel counterpart Boko Haram that is known to kidnap girls and use them as human shields as well as brides for the fighters and taking care of the camps and wounded militants.
Government Intervention
While ISCAP jihadists continue to stretch the government capabilities with the geographic range of their attacks and operations across the vast province the Mozambican government is makings strides in employing successful counterinsurgency operations.
On June 10th, a combination of government security forces on the ground and Dyck Advisory Group (DAG) helicopter gunships in the air pushed insurgents out of a base in Marere, recovering a large cache of weapons and two armored cars that insurgents had captured earlier in the conflict. Marere was a significant outpost for ISCAP as it is located along the coastal strip in southern MDP and had been under their control for some time and was used as a launchpad for attacks in the province. The recapture of Marere has put a dampener and offset the balance of power especially as it has taken away the combat advantage seeing as they often travel by boats and ships along the coastal strip.
Following the ouster from Marere, ISCAP withdrew and split into two groups. One moved north to acquire coastal territory in Palma and the other moved westwards to occupy the area where Nangade, MDP, and Palma Districts converge. The second group’s occupation gives the group a tactical and logistical advantage as it gives them access to major transportation routes across most districts in N.E Cabo Delgado.
Insights
The group has continuously shown its ability to morph and adapt quickly by changing its tactics that show off its strength including tactical withdraw into areas they are more geographically familiar with. They have shown their ability to conduct attacks on different fronts and locations with the precision that is yet to be matched by the Mozambican government troops. However, while it appears that the group is strong, a more comprehensive and effective counterinsurgency campaign is being thought out by Mozambique with help of allies and partners which could adequately offer relief to residents of Cabo Delgado.
The government acknowledged that low morale has been affecting the performance of the troops and as such announced a subsidy to be granted to soldiers fighting ISCAP. The move is set to encourage the military in their fight against the enemy in Cabo Delgado. Additionally, with a pledge from the regional bloc and neighbor Tanzania the fight against ISCAP is becoming a priority for most allies to ensure that the outfit does not become lethal as al Shabaab in Somalia or Boko Haram in Nigeria. Britain is among the international partners that have pledged unspecified assistance to Mozambique to enable the total annihilation of the ISIS-affiliated group. The government is also exploring and seeking international assistance in tackling socioeconomic factors that fuel radicalization and the extreme violence by the communities in the Cabo Delgado that are geared at addressing the historical problems in the area including development, educations, and employment.
