ISLAMIC STATES OF MOZAMBIQUE TERROR ATTACK AND DEFENSE AND SECURITY FORCES COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATIONS IN CABO DELGADO

May 1st to 20th July 2026

1. ISLAMIC STATE MOZAMBIQUE (IS-M) ATTACKS – CABO DELGADO.

  • 10 July – 02 FADM (Mozambique Defense Forces) soldiers were wounded, a dozen fled, and several items of military equipment were seized during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against naval forces on the shores of Quiterajo, Macómia.
  • 10 July – 01 FADM soldier was killed and 02 wounded during an IS-M claimed firearm attack near the Catupa forest, Mucojo area, Macómia. For three consecutive days IS-M has been trying to retake the Catupa area from government forces.
  • 07 July – 04 FADM soldiers were killed, several others wounded, and military equipment seized in an IS-M claimed firearm attack on a military camp in the Catupa forest, Macómia.
  • 06 July – 05 FADM soldiers were killed, 02 captured, and military equipment including VHF radios seized during an IS-M claimed firearm attack around Catupa, Macómia.
  • 05 July – 11 FADM soldiers were killed in an IS-M claimed IED ambush on the N380 and the Macómia–Mucojo axis, Macómia
  • 05 July – Several civilians were wounded and 05 houses burnt during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Nantiadola, near Mocímboa da Praia.
  • 05 July – No casualties recorded during an IS-M claimed firearm attack that displaced the population of Kiriasu village, Muidumbe.
  • 27 June – IS-M ambushed a military-escorted civilian convoy on the N380 between Antandra and Chitunda, near the Muidumbe–Mocímboa da Praia The escort returned fire and the convoy scattered. The ambush fits IS-M’s campaign of roadblocks and Zakat along the N380 corridor. Separately, 01 civilian was reportedly killed near Saca the same day (unconfirmed).
  • 26 June 2026 – 01 MZP (Mozambique Police) officer was killed during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Nangololo, Macómia.
  • 24 June – 06 FADM soldier killed during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the Namabo position, Macómia.
  • 06 June – Several RDF (Rwanda Defence Force) soldiers were wounded and one vehicle damaged in an IED ambush claimed by IS–M on the N380 between Limala and Mbau, Mocímboa da Praia.
  • 06 June – Several FADM naval personnel were wounded during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against a naval patrol off Quiterajo, Macómia.
  • 06 June – 01 CPU (Community Protection Unit)/Namparama member was kidnapped and 01 killed in an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Nakuli, Ancuabe
  • 06 June – 02 civilians were killed and food looted during IS-M unclaimed raided against the community in Xitaxi village, Muidumbe.
  • 05 June – 01 civilian was kidnapped and 01 CPU member beheaded in an IS-M claimed bladed-weapon attack against the community of Marieri, Ancuabe.
  • 03 June – 01 CPU member was captured and beheaded in a bladed-weapon attack against the community of Nanoni, Ancuabe.
  • 03 June – Several RDF soldiers were wounded and 02 vehicles destroyed in an IED ambush claimed by IS-M on the road at Limala, Mocímboa da Praia (N380 major junction to town of Awasse R762 and Mueda)
  • 03 June – Several RDF soldiers were wounded by an IED claimed by IS-M planted around the military camp at Cogolo village R766 secondary road, Mucojo coast (bordering are of Macómia–Mocímboa da Praia).
  • 02 June – IS-M terrorists landed on Matemo Island, bought food from residents, and looted and destroyed the island’s health centre.
  • 01–04 June – several miners from different nationalities were kidnapped on unclaimed IS-M firearm attack against the mining sites namely; Mpene ruby mine, N’naua and Nabala gold mines located in Mesa area of Ancuabe. The terrorist demanded a ransom of 10,000 meticais per person and have looted several equipment and attempting recruitment.
  • 28 May – 01 FADM soldier was killed during a clash between the military and IS-M in a claimed firearm attack at Mariri village, Chiúre area; a rocket launcher and ammunition were seized.
  • 26 May – Several FADM soldiers were reported wounded, and five mortar rounds fired at FADM camp at CETA, on the southern edge of Macómia.
  • 26 May – 02 CPU members were killed and 44 houses burnt in an IS-M claimed firearm raid on the village of Mwanuna, Namuno.
  • 24 May – IS-M seized 07 fishing boats at Ncomangano, north of Mocímboa da Praia, likely moving them south toward the Messalo
  • 21 May – 01 church was burnt at Ingonane village, Chiúre (near the Lúrio river), with no casualties, during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Hokunani, Chiúre
  • 21 May – 01 civilian was killed at Litamanda village (N380, 40 km north of Macómia) in an attack claimed by IS media, which described the victim as a “Christian fighter”; a local source said he was a civilian with his family.
  • 20 May – (Night) IS-M terrorists in 07 boats surrounded 05 fishing vessels in Pangane waters, Macómia, and demanded ransom; 60,000 meticais (equivalent to $938.92 USD) were paid for the release of 02 boats, and 03 boats were seized with their equipment.
  • 20 May – 01 businessman (fish trader) was shot dead by unidentified armed men in the Napulubo area of Macómia. the same day armed men raided a businessman’s house in the Nanga A area, seizing goods, with a repeat incident on 31 May. Attribution is disputed: security sources blame IS-M, residents blame elements of the security forces.
  • 19 May – 02 civilians were killed and 04 motorcycles burnt during an IS-M claimed firearm attack on the village of Namuno (Namoro), Chiúre.
  • 17 May – 26 CPU/ Namparama members were claimed killed and 09 wounded in an IS-M firearm attack against Messanja village clash, Chiúre.
  • 17 May – At least 03 civilians were killed and 03 abducted by terrorists in the Pundanhar area, west of Palma
  • 17 May – 02 CPU killed and 09 wounded, during and firearm claimed attack by IS-M against the community in Messanja village in Chiúre.
  • 16 May – 01 civilian was kidnapped, 01 killed and 03 motorcycles burnt in an IS-M claimed bladed-weapon attack around Mbau village, Mocímboa da Praia.
  • 13 May – Over 100 civilians were displaced and 70 houses burnt in an IS-M claimed firearm attack on the village of Nanivechi, Chiúre.
  • 13 May – 05 CPU/ Naparama members were killed and 07 civilians wounded in an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Chai, area bordering Mucojo-Macómia
  • 12 May – 05 RDF soldiers were killed and 04 wounded in a claimed IED attack on a military convoy on the road between Mukugu and Nambiga, Mucojo area, Macómia.
  • 12 May – Several soldiers were wounded, 01, vehicles lost during a claimed IS-M IED ambush against FADM convoy on the Macómia–Mucojo.
  • 09-12 May – IS-M terrorist front line commanders Nguvu, Mussa Zamir and Muhussino, extorted boat operators and seized petrol at Tambuzi Island, some 25 km off Mocímboa da Praia.
  • 09 May – 05 CPU members were killed, 05 kidnapped, over 200 villagers displaced and 163 houses burnt in an IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Namakwili (Namacuili), Ancuabe.
  • 09 May – 02 CPU members were beheaded in an IS-M claimed bladed-weapon attack against villagers of Namakwili (Namacuili), Ancuabe.
  • 08 May – 04 civilians killed, 01 civilian was kidnapped and beheaded, houses burned in a claimed bladed-weapon attack against villagers of Nanoni, near the FADM Macarara base in Ancuabe district.
  • 06 May – FADM naval forces were overpowered and forced to flee during a claimed clash with IS-M at Quiterajo beach, Macómia. Several weapons were seized.
  • 05 May – Several CPU members were wounded, 220 houses, 02 churches and 04 shops were burnt during a claimed clash with IS-M near the village of Nacoja, Ancuabe. Community goods were looted, including medical and pharmaceutical supplies and equipment.
  • 04 May – 01 civilian bus driver was wounded during unclaimed firearm attack against a passenger vehicle “Estamos Juntos” near Nanga village, Mueda district (Negomano border road). 02 attackers were captured by security forces.
  • 03 May – 05 RDF soldiers were injured and 07 weapons seized in a claimed IS-M clash on the road between the villages of Mbau and Naquitengue along the R765, Mocímboa da Praia.
  • 03 May – No casualties recorded during an IS-M claimed ambush against an FADM road patrol at Mbau village, Mocímboa da Praia.
  • 03 May – 01 civilian was killed during and IS-M claimed firearm attack against the village of Litamanda, Macómia.
  • 02 May – 01 CPU member was killed during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against villagers of Makayamo, Ancuabe.
  • 02 May – Several civilians were displaced, 01 church and 50 houses were burnt during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against villagers of Minheuene, Ancuabe.
  • 01 May – No casualties registered, several houses and a church were burnt during an IS-M claimed firearm attack against villagers of Nakul, Ancuabe.

 

  1. DEFENCE AND SECURITY FORCES – COUNTERTERRORISM OPERATIONS

14 July – 05 IS-M terrorists were killed and several wounded during and FDS ambushed the IS-M attacking cell attempting to assault the military base in Catupa, Macómia (about 25 km from V Congresso on the N380). Some FDS personnel were wounded but reported out of danger.

27 June to 01 July – Joint FADM-RDF counteroffensive to retake the Catupa base in Macómia. Helicopter strikes and a ground assault, launched five days after the Namabo position attack. Satellite imagery showed fires along suspected terrorist defensive lines outside the forest. EWRAC sources reported the base recaptured with heavy IS-M casualties.

01 – RDF forces detected and destroyed in controlled detonations 02 IEDs, Limala and Mbau, wounding soldiers planted by IS-M near Limala in Mocímboa da Praia and at Cogolo village on the Mucojo coast, while a command-wire IED struck a military truck between.

28 May – 03 IS-M terrorists were killed and several wounded during an FADM counteroffensive operation at the village of Mariri, Chiúre.

17 May – 12 IS-M terrorists killed during an CPU militia counteroperation that repelled the IS-M raid on Messanja village in Chiúre

09-12 May – FADM naval forces, enforcing the maritime exclusion zone, arrested 13 civilian boat operators suspected IS-M fighters for fleeing the Tambuzi Island area off Mocímboa da Praia after IS-M extortion activity there.

06 May – FADM forces counterattacked IS-M after the attack on the naval position at Quiterajo, Macómia; several weapons were seized.

05 May – Several IS-M terrorists were wounded in an FDS counteroffensive at Nacoja village, Ancuabe.

04 May – Security forces captured 02 attackers following the ambush of the “Estamos Juntos” passenger bus near Nanga village in Mueda.

03 May – 06 IS-M terrorists were killed during an RDF operation around the villages of Mbau and Naquitengue, Mocímboa da Praia.

 

3 – NON-COMBAT, FOR AWARENESS

Early July 2026 – President Daniel Chapo ordered the relocation of the Northern Operational Theatre Command from Pemba to Mocímboa da Praia to tighten military coordination and accelerate counterterrorism operations in Cabo Delgado.

18 June – A Mozambican Navy vessel sank between Matemo and Ibo islands in rough seas; at least 09 crew feared dead, 02 rescued. The loss further weakened the naval screen off the Macómia coast.