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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update: 25 February 2026 |
| 2026-02-26 |
| [ACCLEDDATA] Over one week into Ramadan, Islamic State Mozambique (ISM) has continued to focus on sourcing supplies of food and other basic necessities. Militants based in Catupa forest ambushed a commercial convoy on the N380, leading to sustained clashes with state forces and at least three fatalities, a figure likely to rise. Along the coast and on offshore islands, interactions with communities have been relatively subdued, with supplies either taken or purchased. Only one violent action took place on the coast — the firing of a rocket-propelled grenade at a Mozambican military base on Mocímboa da Praia’s outskirts. SITUATION SUMMARY: CLASHES INTENSIFY IN CATUPA AND ON THE N380 ISM fighters attacked a commercial convoy near Quinto Congresso on the N380 on the morning of Sunday 22 February, Zitamar News reports. According to local sources, clashes continued in the area on the subsequent Monday and Tuesday involving ISM, the Local Force, and the Mozambican and Rwandan militaries. The Islamic State (IS) claims 14 fatalities in those clashes among the “Mozambique-Rwanda coalition.” The Sunday ambush came nearly two weeks after failed efforts by the Defense Armed Forces of Mozambique (FADM) to regain control of its former Namabo and Catupa positions in Catupa forest, which lie east of Quinto Congresso. The initial 22 February ambush took place outside Quinto Congresso village at around 10 a.m. as the convoy, with a military escort leading, was traveling north from Macomia town. According to sources, the escort vehicles were allowed to pass before the commercial vehicles were attacked. Pictures in circulation on social media indicate that a number of people were injured in the attack. According to two sources in contact with people in the convoy, the driver of one truck was shot and died at the scene. A military source told DW that ISM killed one child in the attack, and that two ISM militants died in a clash that continued until Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) reinforcements arrived later in the day. However, sources in the area state that clashes continued on 23 and 24 February involving FADM, the police Rapid Intervention Unit, the Local Force, and the RDF. |
| Posted by:badanov |