The period between June 18th and 24th has recorded several attacks in North Kivu and Ituri Provinces in DRC and Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique. The attacks have left civilians and security officers dead, building razed to the ground, and thousands of people homeless and displaced from their villages and towns. Despite the attacks showing a down-surge, compared to previous weeks they have shown a grim trend that is gradually magnifying the presence and capabilities of the groups in the countries, they operate in. In DRC and Mozambique, ISCAP has exhibited a heightened capability to conduct attacks, run out civilians from their homes, and drive out the security forces. Additionally, based on BDA, the groups have recruits, better weapons, and complex battle plans that have been key in inflicting maximum damage to the areas they attack.
ISCAP Attacks in Mozambique and DRC (18th June- 24th June)
Mozambique
- 18th June- In Tapara, Quissanga district, ISCAP militants beheaded 4 civilians for refusing to leave instructions from the insurgents to leave Bilibiza as well as kidnapped one woman
- 18th June- insurgents killed 3 in a morning attack in Chimbanga in Mocimboa da Praia and also kidnapped a man, beat him and later released him
- 18th June- In Koko, Macomia district the militants burned down homes and killed a drunk man in the village.
- 19th June- one man was beheaded in Quissanga district
- 19th June- they looted and burned down houses in Xitaxi In Muidumbe district.
Democratic Republic Of Congo
- 19th June- 9 people were killed by ISCAP-ADF terrorists in North Kivu
- 20th June- 10 killed by ADF in Bukaka in Ituri region
- 22nd June- ISCAP terrorists attacked a MONUSCO patrol vehicle killing one Indonesian peacekeeper leaving another wounded in Makisabo new Beni in North Kivu
Insights
In Mozambique, ISCAP is still using small cells that are swift in their strikes and do not linger after most attacks. The new trend is working in their favor as they can attack and leave while at the same time avoiding being tracked by the government forces and Paramilitary security group DAG. The group continues to undermine the efforts of the security troops by attacking regions that have been liberated. The continued attacks have been with the sole purpose of showing that the military and police are incapable of providing durable and sustainable security and peace for the residents. On the other hand, in DRC the attacks are a retaliation for the increased attacks by the government troops and UN peacekeepers that have been pushing the ADF terrorists from their hideouts in the forest.
The security problem is further accelerated by the growing mistrust between the military and residents mainly because the insurgents have been donning the military uniform making it difficult to differentiate them. Furthermore, in recent weeks, extortion and looting brutality allegation gave been leveled against the underpaid and unmotivated troops from the residents of Cabo Delgado.
The same mistrust has been exploited by the insurgents in their recruitment campaigns a move that is geared at driving a wedge between the proverbial protector and protected.
