The Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) in Mozambique beheaded at least six Christians in Chai and Litamanda in Macomia District. This is the first in a sling of attacks and fires that intelligence indicates to be orchestrated by the group which is seeking supremacy in Cabo Delgado.
In the past, the group has beheaded Christians as a way to pay homage to ISIS-Central and this shift in attack is an indicator that the group is resurging and is very likely to launch vicious attacks in coming weeks despite the growing CT and COIN efforts from both Maputo and its allies in the first half of the year.
According to human assets in CD, the group launched a series of attacks including clashes with the Mozambican military which in recent days is characterized by fires. Hence, an outbreak of fires at night in the southern part of Palma signifies clashes between the Mozambican army and the militants.
In the past couple of months, ISCAP in Mozambique has conspicuously slowed down in its attacks and as such the recent spate of attacks in various districts in CD ought not to be taken trivially. In the past, the group has demonstrated its capability to mount a large-casualty attack and as such threats to attack Muidumbe should be taken with a huge gravity.
