ISIS-Linked Militants Behead 30 Christians in Mozambique: Rising Tide of Terror Across Africa

Image: Jihad Watch

A fresh wave of extremist violence has swept through Mozambique, as militants linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) brutally beheaded 30 Christians in a series of coordinated attacks. The Islamic State Mozambique Province (ISMP), a local affiliate of ISIS, released a disturbing 20-image photoset this week showcasing their operatives executing civilians through beheadings and close-range shootings, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

Wave of Terror in Cabo Delgado and Nampula

The attacks occurred in the northern provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula—regions long plagued by Islamist insurgency. Eyewitnesses reported that militants stormed into Christian communities, torching churches and homes, and massacring residents in cold blood. ISMP has claimed responsibility for the assaults, which took place during the last week of September. The onslaught left around 100 homes and five churches reduced to ashes, displacing scores of families and deepening the humanitarian crisis.

A local resident described the horror of one night raid, saying, “They came when we were asleep, killing four and kidnapping four others, including a woman and her two daughters.” Such accounts have become tragically common in Mozambique’s northern regions, where fear and displacement have become part of daily life.

Rwanda’s Extended Role in Counterterrorism Efforts

The attacks come shortly after Mozambique and Rwanda renewed a bilateral security agreement in August, expanding Rwanda’s military presence in the insurgent-hit Cabo Delgado province. Since 2021, nearly 1,000 members of the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and police have been deployed in Mozambique, playing a key role in stabilizing regions overrun by ISIS-linked fighters.

Rwandan forces, alongside Mozambican troops and regional allies, have successfully reclaimed several territories once held by insurgents. However, the recent killings highlight the enduring challenge of eradicating extremism in an area still rife with poverty, weak governance, and ethnic tensions—conditions that militant groups exploit for recruitment and control.

A Decade of Insurgency and Unabated Violence

The Islamic State Mozambique Province first emerged in 2017 when it attacked the coastal town of Mocímboa da Praia—an event that marked the beginning of Mozambique’s struggle with jihadist terrorism. Since then, ISMP has evolved into one of the deadliest branches of ISIS in Africa, responsible for hundreds of killings, forced displacements, and destruction of vital infrastructure, including gas projects.

Over the years, ISMP has shifted tactics, combining guerrilla warfare with acts of terror designed to instill fear and assert dominance in remote communities. Despite military efforts, the group continues to carry out sporadic attacks, often targeting Christians and non-Muslims as part of its ideological campaign.

The Broader African Context

The violence in Mozambique is part of a broader trend of ISIS expansion across Africa, where offshoots in countries like Nigeria, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are gaining ground. Experts warn that the continent is becoming a new epicenter for jihadist extremism, fueled by poverty, corruption, and political instability.

Conclusion

The beheadings in Mozambique serve as a grim reminder of the persistent threat posed by ISIS and its affiliates across Africa. Despite international cooperation and ongoing counterterrorism operations, extremist groups continue to thrive in ungoverned spaces, preying on vulnerable populations. Unless stronger global and regional strategies are implemented—combining security, economic development, and community resilience—the cycle of terror is likely to continue, leaving thousands trapped in fear and displacement.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)