Mid-Week Counter-Terrorism Intelligence Brief for East and Central Africa (Somalia, Mozambique, DR-Congo): Tracking Islamic State Terrorists in Period of 25th September- 29th September 2020

Islamic State provinces in East and Central Africa appear to be exhibiting a lull in its activities with a fewer number of attacks in the period referenced herein. The groups continue to show presence despite there being large scale attacks as in previous months and can be directly or indirectly credited to stepped up CT operations in the respective localities.

In Mozambique, the group continues to seek to capture districts in the Cabo Delgado but their efforts continue to be met with significant resistance from the troops deployed in the localities. While in DRC ISCAP has continued a violent campaign especially against farmers in their fields, exhibiting boldness in the nature of their attacks. unlike last week, there IS In Somalia has not recorded any attacks in the herein mentioned period.

ISCAP Attacks in Mozambique and DRC (25^th September- 29^th September 2020)

DRC

1. 25^th September- 3 people killed and several others kidnapped by ADF militants in Mbutaba village in Beni territory in North Kivu province.
2. 26^th September- 5 people were killed and at least 15 others missing after an attack by ISCAP terrorists on the evening of Saturday in Kirotse-Mbutaba, Sikwaila village in Batangi Mbau group in Beni.
3. 28^th September- 1 person was killed after being abducted by ADF terrorists in Vipuri village in Beni, North Kivu.

MOZAMBIQUE

1. 25^th September- 5 people were killed by ISCAP terrorists in Bilibiza in Quissanga, militants also burnt down homes.
2. 25^th September- 2 people were killed by ISCAP terrorists in Cagembe in Quissanga, militants also burnt down homes.
3. 25^th September- at least 6 civilians were killed as well as 2 soldiers in Naliendele village in Palma district
4. 25^th September- 3 people were killed by ISCAP in Pundanhar, Palma District as they were traveling to buy supplies in Rovuma.
5. 26^th September- a vehicle transporting people and goods from Mueda and Palma was attacked by ISCAP and set on fire between Nangade and Pundanhar.

Notables

• In Mozambique, the attacks have been concentrated along strategic villages that are key to the coastal towns. Quissanga and Palma districts have been the location of numerous attacks in the past and just recently, a bus transporting people was attacked which has made the use of roads in the districts very insecure and almost impassable without police or military escort.
• The Commander-General of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique, Bernardino Rafael denied that the Port town of Mocimboa da Praia was under the control of ISCAP. He maintains that the police and security forces maintain increased control and that despite there not being a strong presence of the forces it did not automatically translate to the towns being controlled by the terrorists.
• Two men identified as C. Assane (age 38) and D. Manel (42) have been detained on suspicion of belonging to ISCAP, recruiting for the group as well as monitoring the movement of the Defence and Security Forces and conveying the information to terrorists.
• In DRC, the number of repeat incursions in the Mbau sector in Beni has increased with the terror organization conduction attacks on varied time of day as fear among the residents is very prevalent.
• Several localities and sectors, in the Beni territory, have been emptied of their inhabitants for a few weeks due to ADF attacks. The residents have called upon the provincial administration, MONUSCO, and FARDC to tighten the noose and protect the civilians who have currently live in fear.