Death toll in Mozambique terror attacks escalates

Cabo-Delgado-Mozambique.jpg

Cabo Delgado Mozambique

from ARIMANDO DOMINGOS in Maputo, Mozambique
MAPUTO, (CAJ News) AT least 2 126 people have been killed during a reign of terror by Islamists in northern Mozambique between late 2017 and this month.

The fatalities have been documented from at least 465 organised attacks in the Cabo Delgado province.

They were documented from October 2017.

The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) recorded the incidents.

According to the data collection, analysis and crisis mapping project, there were 1 288 reported fatalities from organised violence.

ACLED documented 838 reported fatalities from civilian targeting.

Insurgents continued their spree of small-scale attacks throughout the conflict zone last week, killing at least 11 civilians.

Militants beheaded four civilians who had refused to follow insurgent orders to leave the Bilibiza area.

In Chimbanga, insurgents killed three civilians in a morning attack.

Fighters also killed two civilians in Pangane.

Another civilian was beheaded in Ntapuate.

Militants also killed a man they found reportedly intoxicated in Koko.

Homes have been burned and shops looted in the affected regions.

Some insurgents have claimed to be members of the government’s Defense and Security Forces (FDS).

The motive of the militants is unclear but it is believed they are agitating for an Islamist state. Social, economic and political problems are also blamed.

The government of President Filipe Nyusi has deployed FDS to combat terror.

Some military officers have been killed during the attacks.

There are indications the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will deploy troops to complement Mozambican forces.

– CAJ News

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