Mozambique: At least 17 Christians killed by Islamist extremists in the past three weeks

Image: Jihad Watch

Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M) has intensified its campaign of terror in Cabo Delgado Province, claiming responsibility for the brutal killing of 17 Christians over the past three weeks. The wave of violence underscores the group’s growing hostility toward local Christian communities and its determination to destabilize the region.

One of the most gruesome incidents took place on August 26 in Muidumbe district, where IS-M militants ambushed civilians, killing four people in cold blood and setting fire to 29 homes, leaving families devastated and entire communities in ruins. This was not an isolated case but part of a broader surge in violence that has seen IS-M militants clash with Mozambican and Rwandan troops engaged in counterinsurgency operations.

The humanitarian consequences of the conflict are staggering. International experts reported in early August that approximately 60,000 people had been displaced in just a matter of weeks. This adds to an already dire crisis—since the Islamist insurgency first erupted in 2017, more than half a million people have fled northern Cabo Delgado, seeking refuge from relentless attacks, executions, and destruction.

In addition to direct assaults, IS-M has imposed a stranglehold on civilian movement and aid distribution. The militants have established roadblocks to obstruct humanitarian relief efforts. Travellers, particularly Christians, are stopped, interrogated, and often forced to pay an exorbitant “tax” ranging between $150 and $460 in order to continue their journey. Those unable or unwilling to comply risk harassment, violence, or worse.

Since its emergence in 2017, IS-M has waged a relentless insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives, displacing countless more. Their actions have not gone unnoticed by the global jihadist movement. Earlier in August, the group received open praise in Al Naba, the Islamic State’s propaganda magazine. The publication not only glorified the bloodshed but also issued chilling ultimatums to Christians in Mozambique: convert to Islam, accept subjugation under IS rule, or face execution.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)