IS says it killed Italian nun in Mozambique

The Islamic State group (IS) has said it killed four Christians, including an Italian nun, in an attack in Mozambique's northern Nampula province on Tuesday.

It issued the claim the following day via its accounts on the messaging app Telegram, in the name of its so-called Mozambique Province branch.

Mainstream media outlets reported on Wednesday that an 83-year-old Italian nun, identified as Sister Maria De Coppi, was shot dead by militants who raided the village of Chipene in Memba district where a Christian missionary is based.

Several people were reportedly beheaded in the attack.

In its claim, IS said it killed the nun because she had "excessively engaged in spreading Christianity".

It also boasted that its militants burned a church, two vehicles and "other properties" belonging to "the missionary in the area", before allegedly returning safely to their positions.

Prior to this attack, IS had claimed its first and only attack in Nampula in June when it also claimed to have raided a village in Memba and allegedly beheaded one Christian.

Nampula lies to the south of Cabo Delgado province where IS activity is concentrated.

Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi has confirmed the latest attack in Nampula.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: ANSA