At least five civilians were killed Thursday when insurgents raided a village in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, a region plagued by years of extremist violence, according to local security officials.
Army branch commander Andre Rafael Mahunguane said a group of armed men stormed Melija village in Chiure district, forced residents into a gathering, and executed five people before fleeing.
“They were eventually confronted by some villagers and fled. But fear has now gripped the community—people have abandoned the village due to fresh reports of attacks,” Mahunguane told reporters.
The mineral-rich northern province has been at the center of an insurgency since 2017, with multiple armed groups vying for control. Violence in recent weeks has escalated. Just days ago, two police officers on night patrol were mistaken for terrorists and killed by villagers, highlighting the tense atmosphere.
The UNHCR estimates over 25,000 people have been displaced in recent weeks alone, adding to the more than 1.3 million uprooted since the conflict began.
Authorities warn that security operations in Chiure and surrounding districts will continue as communities brace for more attacks.