Mozambique 'retakes key town from militants'

By Andrew Harding

Reports from Mozambique suggest the army has retaken control of an important town captured earlier this year by militant Islamist rebels. 

They have conducted a series of unusually bold attacks in recent months, seizing the towns of Quissanga and Mocimboa da Praia in the north of the country. 

It’s six weeks since the shadowy insurgency burst into the open in northern Mozambique, seizing the two important provincial towns.

The move prompted concerns that a low-level conflict was becoming much more serious.

Now, according to several reports from the area, the army has finally moved back into the coastal town of Quissangoa, seemingly without a fight. Phone connections are reportedly being restored there, as well as in a nearby port, Mocimboa da Praia.

The Mozambique government rarely comments directly on the worsening security situation in Cabo Delgado province and independent journalism has been severely restricted by the authorities.

But the Islamic State group – which supports the militants – has claimed that they recently overran another army base, capturing more weapons.

The militants have accused the government of betraying the poor, but the group has terrorised many civilians, carrying out massacres and beheadings.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Human Rights Watch