79° 58′ 56″ W
15 December 2025, Rwandan security forces operating in northern Mozambique neutralised at least 35 Islamic State of Mozambique (IS-M) insurgents during counter-insurgency operations across the districts of Macómia, Mocímboa da Praia, and Muidumbe. The operations were conducted in response to coordinated insurgent attacks along the N380 National Road, a critical logistics and mobility corridor linking key districts in Cabo Delgado.
The clashes resulted in the temporary closure of the N380 for several days, underscoring the continued ability of insurgent elements to disrupt strategic transport infrastructure despite sustained military pressure from Mozambican forces, the RDF, and bilateral partners. The targeting of the highway highlights the group’s enduring intent to undermine freedom of movement, economic activity, and security force redeployment in northern Cabo Delgado.
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While the successful neutralisation of a significant number of insurgents reflects ongoing tactical effectiveness by Rwandan forces, the incidents also demonstrate the residual resilience and adaptability of IS-M, particularly its focus on ambushes and hit-and-run attacks along key supply routes. The N380 remains a high-value target for insurgents seeking to project relevance, impose economic costs, and challenge state and allied control.
The episode reinforces the need for sustained route-security operations, improved early-warning mechanisms, and enhanced civil–military coordination to prevent recurring disruptions along strategic corridors. It also highlights the importance of consolidating military gains through stabilisation and governance measures to deny insurgents the operational space necessary to regenerate.