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QUARTERLY REPORT
MOZAMBIQUE -CABO DELGADO: ISLAMIC STATE MOZAMBIQUE (IS-M)
Reporting period: 01 May – 20 July 2026 | EWRAC
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The quarter marks a qualitative shift in the Cabo Delgado security situation. IS-M conducted 48 targeted attacks, killing 95 people¹. Over 552 houses were burnt, more than 300 civilians displaced, and community and commercial goods looted. The defining event of the period was the contest for the Catupa forest in Macómia, recaptured by government forces in a joint FADM–RDF counteroffensive (27 June – 01 July), then subjected to sustained IS-M counterattacks through mid-July.
IS-M consolidated a maritime zakat and logistics system across the Macómia and Mocímboa da Praia littoral, spanning Pangane waters, Tambuzi, Ncomangano and Matemo islands. The group has exploited the gap left in maritime patrolling after a navy vessel sank in rough seas on 18 June. At the same time, it diversified its war economy into artisanal mining in Ancuabe, combining ransom with recruitment.
Defence and security forces launched 10 targeted counterterrorism operations, including the Catupa ground offensive of 27 June – 01 July. These killed at least 26 IS-M fighters, captured or arrested 15, destroyed 02 IEDs in controlled detonations at Limala and Cogolo, and recaptured the Catupa base.
The security situation is assessed as HIGH. It is highly likely that IS-M will sustain attritional pressure on the N380 corridor and Catupa through the next reporting period.
2. SITUATION UPDATE
2.1 Statistical overview
IS-M conducted 48 attacks across 9 districts² and 31 villages³, claiming 41; 07 were unclaimed. The principal means of attack were firearms (30), IEDs (06) and bladed weapons (05), alongside a mortar strike, 04 maritime raids and 09 road ambushes — 07 of which struck military-escorted convoys and patrols.
The attacks killed 34 DSF personnel⁴, 44 CPU/Naparama members⁵ and 17 civilians, and wounded more than 30 people. At least 14 people were kidnapped, including artisanal miners, and 02 FADM soldiers were captured. Over 300 civilians were displaced; 552+ houses, 05 churches and 04 shops were burnt; 07 motorcycles and 04 military vehicles were destroyed and 10 fishing boats were seized. IS-M has imposed fidya (ransom) of 10,000 MZN⁶ per person at mining sites and 20,000 MZN⁷ per boat in Pangane waters.
Across the period, IS-M seized over 12 RPG launchers, 42 AK-pattern rifles, 11 PKM machine guns, 12 mortar tubes, 38 mortar bombs, 08 RPG rounds, 06 VHF radios, a mine detector, 07 smoke grenades, 01 hand grenade, 06 tactical knives, 02 AK magazines, 04 ammunition boxes of 7.62 mm (200 rounds each) and a number of operational documents.
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¹ Includes IS-M-claimed figures not all independently verified.
² Macómia, Mocímboa da Praia, Muidumbe, Nangade, Mueda, Ancuabe, Chiúre, Montepuez and Meluco.
³ Catupa, Mucojo, Quiterajo, Pangane, Messanja, Nkoe, Litamanda, Chai, Namabo, Macomia-sede, Mitope, Diaca, Ntotwe, Xitaxi, V Congresso, Muaja, Nacole, Minheuene, Nacuale, Mariri, Nkonga, Mualela, Namacande, Namacuili, Miangalewa, Mbau, Negomano, Muatide, Nanjua, Meluco-sede, Ancuabe-sede and Mazeze.
⁴ 28 Forças Armadas de Moçambique, 05 Rwanda Defence Force, 01 Mozambique Police.
⁵ Includes the IS-M-claimed figure of 26 at Messanja; local sources reported 02 killed there.
⁶ ~USD 156.
⁷ ~USD 312.