Mozambique: Authorities say they killed 50 jihadists in the north

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Authorities claim to have killed fifty terrorists during military operations carried out in the past few days in the province of Cabo Delgado, in the far north of the country. Since 2017, jihadist groups affiliated with ISIS have destabilized this province, which is rich in underwater gas fields.

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Fighting has intensified in recent weeks in this northern province of the country. The Minister of the Interior identifies twenty attacks since the beginning of the month and communicates on two violent clashes which occurred on May 13 and 14: one on a road connecting the villages of Chinda and Mbau, the second in the district of Quissanga, which had been occupied by combatants since the beginning of March. 

The authorities stress the extent of the damage: eleven villages have been destroyed as well as infrastructure, 6 civilians have been kidnapped and 14 people have disappeared.

For its part, the regional branch of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for an attack in the village of Awassi. Photos and videos of rather young fighters with heavy weapons.

According to several experts, in recent months, these armed groups have attacked more major cities and symbols of the state. However, the civilians whose houses were burned down continue to flee the violence. According to the authorities, at least 150,000 people have fled this province.

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• Mozambique
• Terrorism

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