The Mozambique (Cabo Delgado) Conflict
A neutral, source-attributed briefing on the insurgency in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province — an Islamic State-linked conflict near major gas projects.
Open the live conflict map → Common questionsLast updated: 2026-08-06 · Evergreen briefing — the live map and the headlines below carry the latest developments.
Key locations: Mozambique Conflict
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Pembacity-12.9740, 40.5178
Capital of Cabo Delgado province and the region's main port and administrative center for the counterinsurgency campaign.
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Mocímboa da Praiaport-11.3494, 40.3600
Coastal town seized by Islamic State Mozambique insurgents at the peak of their 2020 offensive and retaken by Mozambican and Rwandan forces in 2021.
Control: Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM) and Rwanda Defence Force troops hold the town, though Islamic State Mozambique continues to mount IED and raid attacks nearby — ACLED, Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update, as of 2026-06-17
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Palmacity-10.7500, 40.4667
Northern coastal town near Mozambique's offshore natural gas fields, the site of a major Islamic State Mozambique attack in March 2021 that halted LNG development.
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Macomiacity-12.2333, 40.1333
Cabo Delgado district town that has seen recurring Islamic State Mozambique activity, including IED deployments in 2026.
Control: Mozambican state forces hold the town center, while Islamic State Mozambique operates from forest bases in the surrounding district — ACLED, Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update, as of 2026-06-17
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Muedabase-11.6667, 39.5667
Plateau town hosting one of the main Mozambican and allied military garrisons supporting operations across northern Cabo Delgado.
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Nangadeborder-10.9333, 39.6167
District bordering Tanzania that has seen clashes between Islamic State Mozambique insurgents and Mozambican and Rwandan forces.
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Quissangaregion-12.4167, 40.5333
Coastal district south of Mocímboa da Praia used by Islamic State Mozambique as a transit route between operational areas.
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Montepuezcity-13.1256, 39.0278
Inland town known for ruby mining that has become a major host site for civilians displaced by the Cabo Delgado insurgency.
Key facts
- The Mozambique (Cabo Delgado) Conflict is an insurgency in Southern Africa, currently Active (Medium intensity).
- An Islamic State-linked insurgency in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province has displaced hundreds of thousands and threatened major natural-gas investments, despite regional military support.
- Key actors: Mozambican forces, Insurgents (Ansar al-Sunna / IS-linked), Regional and foreign forces.
- What's at stake: Energy investment, Humanitarian impact, Counter-terrorism.
Latest developments
The headlines below are pulled automatically from Google News (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and link to primary reporting. They are updated periodically; last refreshed 2026-08-06.
- From Houston to Cabo Delgado: Mozambican delegation advances LNG partnerships2026-08-06 — CLUB OF MOZAMBIQUE
- Islamic State Mozambique Terrorists Make IEDs Central to Attack Strategy2026-07-21 — Africa Defense Forum
- How Cabo Delgado's riches became fuel for the Islamist insurgency in Mozambique2026-06-11 — RFI
- Rwanda says Mozambique has secured funds for it to continue Cabo Delgado mission2026-05-19 — Reuters
- Mozambique: Insurgents kill 10, abduct 72 in Cabo Delgado in June – UN2026-07-28 — Macau Business
- Security, Dialogue Essential for Lasting Peace in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Province: Catholic Bishop2026-07-16 — ACI Africa
- Calls Grow for Talks in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado Crisis2026-07-28 — allafrica.com
- Mozambique: Humanitarian Access Snapshot - Northern Provinces (Cabo Delgado, Niassa, Nampula), as of June 20262026-07-28 — ReliefWeb
Overview
An Islamic State-linked insurgency in Mozambique's northern Cabo Delgado province has displaced hundreds of thousands and threatened major natural-gas investments, despite regional military support.
This page is an evergreen orientation. Figures and control change continually — confirm the latest with the primary sources listed below.
Key actors
- Mozambican forces — the national military.
- Insurgents (Ansar al-Sunna / IS-linked) — operating in Cabo Delgado.
- Regional and foreign forces — supporting counter-insurgency.
- Civilian population — facing displacement and attacks.
What's at stake
- Energy investment: security of major liquefied-natural-gas projects.
- Humanitarian impact: mass displacement in the north.
- Counter-terrorism: containing the IS-linked threat.
- Regional security: spillover in southern Africa.
Mozambique Conflict explained: the key dynamics
An Islamic State-linked insurgency
An insurgency in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, linked to the Islamic State, has carried out raids and attacks on towns and villages, displacing large numbers of people.
Gas projects under threat
The province hosts major liquefied-natural-gas investments; insurgent attacks, including on the town of Palma, have repeatedly threatened these projects and the foreign investment behind them.
Regional intervention
Forces from neighboring states have intervened to support the Mozambican military, reducing insurgent control of key areas, though attacks and displacement persist.
Timeline: how the mozambique conflict unfolded
- 2017 — The insurgency begins with attacks in Cabo Delgado.
- 2020–21 — Insurgents seize towns and attack the gas hub at Palma.
- 2021 — Regional and foreign forces intervene to support the government.
- 2022–26 — The insurgency is reduced but continues at a lower level.
How this conflict is mapped and tracked
Cabo Delgado is tracked by ACLED as a discrete insurgency, with displacement estimated by humanitarian agencies. Remote terrain and restricted access make verification difficult, so attack and casualty figures are estimates.
For how these datasets differ, see ACLED vs UCDP vs CFR and our guide to conflict-tracking tools.
Insurgency in Mozambique (Cabo Delgado)
An Islamic State-affiliated insurgency known locally as Ansar al-Sunna Wa-Jama'a (also called Al-Shabaab, distinct from the Somali group) launched attacks in Mozambique's northernmost province, Cabo Delgado, in 2017. The insurgency has since killed an estimated 5,000–7,000 people, displaced over 1 million, and created a humanitarian crisis in one of the world's poorest regions.
The conflict's economic significance is amplified by Cabo Delgado's location adjacent to one of Africa's largest offshore natural gas discoveries, with projects led by TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and ENI. TotalEnergies suspended its $20 billion LNG project in 2021 following an insurgent attack on Palma; a partial resumption has been cautiously explored but full development is contingent on security.
Rwanda deployed approximately 4,000 troops under a bilateral security agreement in 2021, stabilizing the Mocímboa da Praia district and repelling insurgents from previously held urban areas. The SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) also operates in the province. The insurgency has dispersed into more rural areas rather than being defeated, and attacks continue across a wider geographic zone.
How it fits the global picture
This is one of 29 active armed conflict theaters tracked on the Global Armed Conflicts Map. Explore related and concurrent conflicts:
Frequently asked questions
What is the conflict in Cabo Delgado?
It is an Islamic State-linked insurgency in northern Mozambique that has displaced large populations and threatened gas projects. Confirm the current status with primary sources such as ACLED, UCDP, and the CFR Global Conflict Tracker.
Is the Cabo Delgado insurgency over?
The insurgency persists at a reduced but ongoing level despite regional military intervention.
How can I follow it live?
Use the interactive conflict map to see this theater alongside 28 other active conflicts, filter by intensity and region, and open intelligence briefings for each.
Is the Cabo Delgado insurgency linked to ISIS?
The group is affiliated with the Islamic State's regional network, though the depth of operational links is debated. It is sometimes known locally as Ansar al-Sunna.
Why does the Cabo Delgado conflict matter internationally?
The province hosts some of Africa's largest natural-gas projects, so the insurgency has direct implications for multinational energy investment and regional security.
Source provenance
- ACLED, Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update 50 days · as of 2026-06-17
- News feed 0 days · as of 2026-08-06
| Date | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-06 | Headlines refreshed | News feed |
| 2026-06-17 | Mocímboa da Praia control updated | ACLED, Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update |
| 2026-06-17 | Macomia control updated | ACLED, Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update |