In 2017, Islamist militants with connections to the Islamic State started an insurgency in the northern provinces of Mozambique. Since then, there have been constant fights, and the security situation has deteriorated. The newest waves of attacks started at the beginning of January 2024.

In the latest attack on May 10 against Macomia, Cabo Delgado province, local sources claim that hundreds of Islamist fighters participated. President Filipe Nyusi said that the Islamists retreated after 45 minutes of fighting but managed to reorganize and come back. The latest attack had the largest volume for a while.

The army groups that were stationed in the area as a part of the Southern African Development Community since 2021 started their withdrawal last month. Specialists say that the withdrawal could lead to deterioration in security in the area.

According to the International Organization for Migration, approximately 110,000 people have had to leave their homes since the resurgence of the fights at the end of last year.

Source: Vatican News