Insurgents linked to the Islamic State (IS) killed four civilians in a late-night attack on Macomia town in northern Mozambique, local sources reported on Monday. The assault, which also saw several kidnappings, underscores the persistent insecurity in Cabo Delgado province.
According to a local military officer who spoke anonymously, the attackers stormed Macomia on Sunday night, clashing briefly with community militias before retreating. “The insurgents killed four people, including a local merchant, and kidnapped two girls,” the officer said, adding that some fighters were wounded during the confrontation.
Residents described scenes of panic as gunfire rang out around 8 p.m. “We heard gunshots and ran into the woods. When they entered the neighborhood, they killed four people and kidnapped four others, including a woman and her two daughters,” one witness told AFP. Another resident said the militants fatally shot a young man who resisted handing over his father’s belongings.
Macomia lies close to a large military base hosting Rwandan forces, who have supported Mozambique’s army since 2021 in efforts to repel the insurgency. Despite international assistance, attacks have resurged in recent months, raising fresh concerns over stability in Cabo Delgado.
The province has been the epicenter of an Islamist insurgency since 2017, with militants targeting civilians, villages, and infrastructure. Thousands have been killed and nearly one million displaced by the conflict. The violence also forced French energy giant TotalEnergies to suspend its multi-billion-dollar liquefied natural gas project in the region, which remains on hold as security remains fragile.
Mozambican authorities rarely confirm such incidents, leaving communities to rely on local reports. For residents of Macomia and surrounding towns, the latest attack is a grim reminder that peace remains elusive despite years of military operations.
As the insurgents push forward, fears persist that continued instability could derail both humanitarian recovery and major economic projects vital to Mozambique’s future.
