New Year 2021 Panic has erupted in the Mozambique Northern Region as ISIS linked jihadist promise to Return after suffering a crushing Defeat in the Battle of Afungi Peninsula. 

The energy giant Total has taken precautionary measures and cut down on its staff deployed in the Afungi peninsula multi-million LNG project camp; and the local population is under high threat alert after a retreating ISIS unit promised to return after suffering an overwhelming defeat in the hands of Mozambique Special Joint Task Force elite troops ( MJTF) in the eve before Jan 1st 2021.

Impeccable sources have confirmed that Mozambique JTF launched a coordinated onslaught on ISIS linked ´Al-Shabaab’ or Machababos and succeeded in stabilising the Afungi peninsula situated in - Cabo Delgado - Northern Regions of Mozambique. 

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The intelligence led planned and coordinated counter insurgency operation led by JTF was launched on the 30 and 31 Dec 2020 respectively targeting two jihadist strongholds in Monjane and Mondlane villages – Afungi -Cabo Delgado. 

A battlefield assessment revealed that several insurgents were killed in the fierce clashes and more than 40 houses were destroyed in Mondlane village. The overwhelming force of the JTF forced the insurgents to tactically withdraw from the area in the late evening of 31 Dec 2020. 

A state of heightened alert has been raised after escaping insurgents dropped written notes stating that Palma would be attacked on 05 January 2021, and advising the population to evacuate. As a precautionary intervention, sources say approximately 500 Total employees have been evacuated from the Afungi LNG site using 3 flights to Pemba. Several other local employees who work at the Afungi site were instructed to stay home until a safety clearance notice was issued.

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The ISIS linked jihadist group -Al Sunnah Wa Jamaah has been operating in the volatile but gas rich region of Cabo -Delgado - Northern Mozambique for 4 years with huge operational presence around villages and towns in the District of Mocimboa da Praia.

The jihadist, estimated to be in their thousands are known to deploy extreme violence against local communities that do not support their activities or those who are accused as spies. 

The asymmetric style of operation means all threats have to be taken seriously and measures put in place to secure the local population and state assets. 

This report creates a context based awareness and security alertness in the areas under threat of possible violence by jihadist . If you see something something , say something.

About the Author

David Otto is the Director for Stepped In – Step Out UK Ltd and a Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Expert. He is a Certified Anti -Terrorism Specialist (CAS), a Certified Master Anti -Terrorism Specialist (CMAS) and a programme trainer with the Anti -Terrorism Accreditation Board (ATAB). Twitter @ottotgs Email: David.otto@steppedin-stepout.com