IS-Linked Insurgents Kill Four in Attack on Mozambique’s Macomia Town, Kidnap Two Girls Amid Renewed Violence
In a chilling escalation of the long-running insurgency in northern Mozambique, militants tied to the Islamic State group stormed the town of Macomia on Sunday night, 28 September 2025, killing four civilians and kidnapping two girls. The raid, which saw brief clashes with local militias, has heightened fears in Cabo Delgado province, where attacks have surged in recent months despite international efforts to curb the violence. A local military official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the details to AFP, noting that the insurgents withdrew after sustaining wounds, leaving behind a trail of terror in a community already scarred by years of conflict. This incident comes as the region grapples with stalled economic projects and a humanitarian crisis, forcing aid groups like Doctors Without Borders to halt operations in nearby areas due to safety risks.
Macomia, located near a major Rwandan military base supporting Mozambican forces since 2021, has become a flashpoint in the insurgency that began in 2017. The attack marks the third major town targeted in the last month, underscoring the militants’ growing boldness and the challenges facing security operations. As global attention turns to the plight of over 6,200 killed and millions displaced since the conflict’s start, calls grow for renewed international intervention to protect civilians and revive peace efforts. This article delves into the details of the Macomia raid, the broader insurgency context, impacts on local communities and economy, responses from aid groups and authorities, and the path forward for stability in Mozambique.
Details of the Macomia Attack: Clashes, Casualties, and Kidnappings
The assault unfolded around 8pm on Sunday, with insurgents clashing briefly with local militias before retreating. “The insurgents…killed four people, including a local merchant, and kidnapped two girls,” the military officer told AFP. “They clashed with the local militia for a few minutes and then withdrew from the town. Some insurgents were wounded.” Residents recounted the horror: “We heard gunshots around 8pm and started running into the woods. When they entered the neighbourhood, they killed four people and kidnapped four others, including a woman and her two daughters,” one anonymous local shared. Another added that the militants “fatally shot a young man who refused to hand over his father’s belongings.”
Islamic State claimed the attack, as per reports from conflict monitors like ACLED, which have tracked similar incidents in the area. The raid targeted a town just outside a large Rwandan military base, raising questions about security gaps despite international support. No official comment came from Mozambican authorities, who rarely confirm such events, adding to the frustration of locals seeking protection.
This isn’t isolated—earlier in September 2025, insurgents ambushed a military outpost in Macomia, claiming 30 soldier deaths in clashes that included contract killings and base overruns. Relatives in nearby areas reported calls during attacks, highlighting the terror’s personal toll.
The Insurgency’s Broader Context: From 2017 Onslaught to Renewed Surge
The violence in Cabo Delgado traces back to 2017, when the group known locally as Al-Shabaab (not linked to Somalia’s) launched attacks, later affiliating with Islamic State in 2019. Driven by poverty, inequality, and jihadist ideology, the insurgents have killed at least 6,200 people and displaced over a million, per ACLED data. The conflict has devastated the region, halting major gas projects like TotalEnergies’ $20-billion LNG venture near Palma, stalled since a deadly 2021 attack that killed over 800.
Recent months have seen a resurgence, with attacks spreading to stable areas like Ancuabe and Montepuez. In June 2025, IS claimed killing 30 soldiers in Macomia, overrunning a base and setting it ablaze. August 2025 reports noted militants moving by boat along the coast, preaching in towns, and launching raids near the Afungi LNG plant. UNHCR has warned of deteriorating security, displacing more families and straining aid efforts.
Foreign fighters from Tanzania, Rwanda, and South Africa have joined, boosting the group’s reach. Despite Rwandan and SADC forces’ help since 2021, gaps persist, with attacks like Macomia’s showing militants’ adaptability.
Impacts on Communities and Economy: Displacement and Stalled Development
The raid has deepened fear in Macomia, a town near key military sites, with residents fleeing to woods during the assault. Renewed violence has displaced thousands, straining resources in a province where poverty fuels recruitment. Doctors Without Borders suspended work in Mocimboa da Praia on 26 September 2025 due to attacks, halting aid for vulnerable groups.
Economically, the insurgency has stalled TotalEnergies’ project, once a fuel landing for equipment, now a ghost amid violence. Subcontractors and victims’ families sued the firm in 2023 over the 2021 Palma attack. TotalEnergies eyes a restart within months, but safety doubts linger.
Responses: Global Support and Local Silence
Mozambican officials stayed mum, a common response that frustrates locals. Internationally, ACLED and UNHCR track the surge, calling for aid boosts. IS’s claims of killings amplify threats, with experts like those at the Soufan Center noting the group’s resurgence and foreign fighter draw.
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