Maputo, 24 Feb (AIM) – The Mozambican defence and security forces and their Rwandan allies have, over the past week, captured more than a dozen islamist terrorists in the district of Mocaimboa da Praia, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, according to a report in Friday’s issue of the independent newssheet, “Mediafax”.
Seven terrorists were captured on Monday by Rwandan troops near the village of Malinde. According to local sources, cited by the paper, the seven were surprised while they were cooking at a hideout in the bush. A group of local fishermen gave the Rwandans directions to reach the jihadist hideout.
The Rwandans captured a further ten terrorists after what was described as “an intensive exchange of fire” in the bush between the villages of Makulo, Cabecera and Malinde. These jihadists had supposedly told local villagers that they were willing to surrender, but when they saw that they were surrounded, they opted to fight instead.
During these clashes, the residents of the nearby villages fled to the district capital, Mocimboa da Praia town, which remained calm.
On Thursday, the Mozambican defence forces presented to reporters in Mocimboa da Praia town three terrorists who had abandoned jihadist camps and had surrendered to the authorities.
According to a report in the newssheet “Carta de Mocambique”, the commander of the army, Tiago Nampele, said the terrorists had surrendered due to various operations carried out by the defence and security forces.
The three terrorists, named as Abdremane Issa (31), Nze Assumane (45) and Buanamade Ali (30), said they had operated across the northern part of Cabo Delgado, participating in attacks against villages in Mocimboa da Praia, Palma. Nangade, Muidumbe and Macomia.
(AIM)
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