The Islamic State has shown resilience and its ability to morph and adapt accordingly both In the Middle East and across the globe. The group has an ever-expanding network of affiliates across the globe with a substantial number of the current 20 affiliates located in Africa. Mozambique, Somalia, and DRC have some of the most active ISIS’ affiliates in the East and Central Africa region. In September, the group has remained relatively docile in Somalia but has recorded a significant consistency in DRC and Mozambique.
The groups in DRC and Mozambique continue their violent campaign targeting both the civilian population and the military. They maintain a similar crude method of operation with beheadings, burning down of buildings, shootings, lootings, and kidnapping as prevalent aspects of their attacks. Both groups continue to show a growing capability and sophistication in their attacks in a worrying trend that would greatly heighten the threat caused by the groups both in their respective countries and the region at large.
ISCAP Attacks in Mozambique and DRC (10th September – 17th September)
Mozambique
- 10th September- insurgents attacked Tete and Namaringa villages in Mocimboa da Praia where they razed buildings and looted for supplies.
- 11th September- ISCAP attacked the island of Ilha, Vamisse in Pemba, looted for supplies, burned down at least 30 homes, and attacked a tourist attraction resort that was the destination for various international celebrities.
- 11th September- ISCAP conducted a series of attacks in Pala district were two people were beheaded, vehicles destroyed. Additionally, two people were killed and several others injured after a truck was run off the road by militants.
- 12th September- Two people were injured in Maganja in Palm district after ISCAP insurgents attacked the area.
- 12th September- Mozambican troops conducted their first attempt at incursion into the captured MDP but were met by serious ISAP resistance at Awasse.
- 13th September- ISCAP attacked Ningalia in Macomia where they burnt down homes, stole food, and other essential supplies.
- 13th September- ISCAP terrorists attacked Manica, Macomia where they stole chickens and cookware before retreating to their hideouts.
Democratic Republic of Congo
- 10th September- 11 people were killed by ISCAP in Mutueyi-Mapendo village
- 10th September- at least 28 people were killed by ADF terrorists in the Tchabi locale of Irumu territory in Ituri Province.
- 10th September- 4 military outposts in Beni territory were attacked by ADF but the attacks were thwarted by the FARDC. The attacks were targeting Matete, Kelekele, Kitaura, and Mbau center outposts.
- 16th September- ADF militants attacked an NGO workers’ van near Kasiki in Lubero territory of North Kivu. One aid worker was killed while several others were injured in the attack.
- 16th September- Insurgents attacked a taximan and shot him dead along the Mbau-Kamango road in Beni territory.
Analysis and Insights
Recent propaganda by ISIS media indicates that ISIS is strongest in Africa and as such it is crucial to deal with the offshoots and affiliates with exceptional seriousness. ADF in DRC and Al-Shabaab in Mozambique morphed from rebel groups to full-blown terror organizations that have caused the deaths of hundreds and displacement of thousands more. According to ISIS-central, the group is deviating its energies from Syria and Iraq and instead focusing it on western targets. The same was seemingly reiterated by the attack of Aid workers in Lubero, North Kivu, and the attack on a tourist site in Vamisse in Mozambique. The attacks on nonlocals is a clear indicator that the group is heading to directives given by the ISIS-Central and have both developed capacity and attack capabilities that have been gravely under looked.
In DRC the attack in aid workers occurred further south from the usually Beni territory evidencing the expansion of the ADF from Beni territory to the neighboring territory as was the case with last week’s attacks in Ituri province. Additionally, the insurgents attempted to breach four military outposts in the Beni-Mbau sector where previous attacks have been concentrated in attempts to either run out the military as well as resupply weapons and ammunition. Intelligence reveals that the funding for ADF may have been transported and facilitated by some corrupt Congolese soldiers who are said to have let a carrier with at $800,000 believed to be headed to ADF in Beni without proper identification and clearance. Such a large sum of money makes for a huge shift in the threat that is posed by the militants as they can now afford to buy weapons as well as allowances for the fighters who appear to be growing in numbers both through voluntary and coerced recruitment drives.
On the other hand, in Mozambique ISCAP has shown its capacity to hold positions and mount attacks as well as counter-attacks against Mozambican troops as evidence in Awasse as well as a standoff at Mueda where the troops hope to launch an attack to reclaim MDP from the jihadists. While the soldiers have been streaming from Pemba to back up their compatriots against the terror group has also been receiving reinforcements from their hideouts across Cabo Delgado. The continued hold of MDP by ISCAP since August reaffirms that the group’s battle strategy has proven successful and stubborn against the military intervention. In the past week, the group has been looting food, animals, and other supplies to replenish their supplies and could be an indicator of the growing numbers, and as such the spoils are meant to feed the members.
Thus, it is crucial that troops and COIN actors not relent in their fight against the affiliates both in DRC and Mozambique as the group continues to amerce territory and fighter so will it amerce sympathizers who will fund and protect the group’s interests and activities. Indubitably, ISCAP will continue to morph, adapt, and reinforce their territories if significant and rigorous action is not taken against the groups and their potential growth. While S.I. continues to track and monitor the activities of the group in both countries, we also warn that lack of holistic CT strategies could hinder the current and future operations that could quite possibly result in the expansion of the groups both across territories and borders.
