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On July 17th, the head of the Mozambican police, Bernardino Rafael, said that the defense and security forces are committed to eliminating the insurgents operating in Cabo Delgado.
According to him, an example of this is the killing of more than 500 ISIS members in the region.
Among the killed members were two of the leaders of armed violence, said Bernardino Rafael, as had already been announced at the end of May.
Other sources, however, claim that 500 ISIS members were arrested and 80 were injured, and not killed.
In recent operations, 12 firearms were recovered, 16 vehicles in the possession of the attackers were destroyed, 87 were motorized and several vessels, including motor boats, sailing boats and canoes.
It remains unclear if both claims are separate, or part of the same claim.
He said that the total number of militants in the area is unknown, but the operations by security forces are stopping them from advancing into other parts of the country.
The province, rich in natural gas and other resources, has been the target of attacks since 2017 that have already killed more than a 1,000 people, and tens, if not hundreds, of thousands have been displaced, in addition to the destruction of infrastructure and paralyzing the functioning of government and social organizations.
According to Bernardino Rafael, the terrorists are being pushed back and are losing positions.
Meanwhile, the Dyck Advisory Group (DAG), a paramilitary company that’s providing aerial support to Mozambique’s armed forces in the clashes in Cabo Delgado had its contract extended until at least the end of 2020.
The company is led by retired Zimbabwean Colonel Lionel Dyck and it was hired for three months in early April.
In May, DAG group helicopters were credited with deterring a terrorist advance on the city of Pemba. They also supported the armed forces’ retaking of the towns of Macomia in late May, as well as Mocimboa de Praia at the end of June.
According to some sources, the DAG contract would also include training to Mozambican troops, to act more effectively with the air support they’re receiving.
The Mozambican army was also planning operations in conjunction with the armed forces of other countries in Africa in order to more effectively counter terrorist activities.
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