Dozens of terrorists killed, mozambican commander claims
The commander of the Northern Operational Theatre of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), Omar Saranga, has told reporters that dozens of islamist terrorists were killed in the operation that led to the seizure of the major jihadist base of Catupa, in Macomia district, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Catupa was captured about a fortnight ago and was regarded as the most important strategic stronghold of the islamists, following the fall of the Siri 1 and Siri 2 bases last year. It was located in dense bush and accommodated rebels fleeing from the offensive in which the FADM and its Rwandan allies drove the jihadists out of the town of Mocimboa da Praia in August 2021.
“Our forces killed dozens of terrorists and seized military and computer material”, said Saranga. He presented a Mozambican who had been a bodyguard for one of the terrorist leaders, but who surrendered to the FADM.
“As you can see, he is not being ill-treated”, Saranga said. “One of his arms was amputated, but that was done by one of the terrorists he was working for”.
The capture of the Catupa base was initially announced by President Filipe Nyusi on 14 July. He announced that during the operation one of the jihadist leaders was killed.
Despite their setbacks in Macomia, the terrorists have continued to launch raids into Mocimboa da Praia district. According to a report in the independent newsheeet “Carta de Mocambique”, on Friday the jihadists attacked the village of Mitope, about 45 kilometres from Mocimboa da Praia town.
The attack caused panic among the villagers, some of whom had only just returned to Mocimboa da Praia after spending some time in the neighbouring district of Nangade. They burnt down several houses, and stole property, but nobody was killed in the raid.
(AIM)
