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 2026-06-21.
- Journalists disappear as intimidation grips Mozambique's Cabo Delgado region2026-06-15 — RFI
- The crisis in Cabo Delgado is far from over2026-02-26 — Doctors Without Borders
- Sexual violence surges in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado as war grinds on2026-06-19 — RFI
- Is there a case for dialogue to end Mozambique’s insurgent war?2026-03-18 — The New Humanitarian
- Mozambique Conflict Monitor Update: 25 March 20262026-03-25 — ACLED
- Rwanda says Mozambique has secured funds for it to continue Cabo Delgado mission2026-05-19 — Reuters
- Mozambique Archbishop condemns attack on Catholic Mission in Cabo Delgado2026-05-04 — Vatican News
- A War Without Headlines: Mozambique’s Insurgency and the Global Security Blind Spot2026-01-26 — Small Wars Journal
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.
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.