Rebel groups in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province murdered 25 members of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) on Friday, in the Mucojo administrative post, Macomia district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, according to a report in Monday’s issue of the independent newssheet “Carta de Moçambique.” The Macomia district administrator, Tomás Badae, confirmed the death of 25 soldiers after the terrorists occupied a military position in Mucojo.
This figure is higher than that claimed by the terrorists themselves. The propaganda channels of the self-styled “Islamic State” claim that 20 soldiers were killed in the clash. The jihadists also boasted of beheading a soldier after several hours of interrogation.
According to Badae, it was not yet known whether the terrorists had left Mucojo due to communication difficulties.
According to the paper, the terrorists seized food and forced some civilians from Mucojo to carry it to an area further north, which is believed to be the access point to one of the bases located between the administrative posts of Mucojo and Quiterajo.
“We arrived at Mucojo by sea and occupied the position, but on Friday morning the terrorists began their attack and there was no way out because they had already closed the roads. However, we responded and finally managed to get out. Unfortunately, other colleagues died”, a military source said. He added that there was no help because the FADM unit was unable to communicate with its superior officers.
According to a local resident, “nobody was killed or injured among the population. When we started to flee, they told us to stay, but out of fear we left Mucojo and we’ve gone further south. The challenge is to get out to safer areas, since there is no transport and using the sea is also risky.”
This is the second time in less than two months that terrorists have attacked and occupied the Mozambique Defence Forces position in Mucojo.