SADC forces destroy terrorist base in Mozambique, but suffer casualties

By Zimbabwe Voice Reporter

TROOPS under the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) captured a terrorist base in northern Mozambique during a planned raid this weekend, but suffered four casualties.

The SAMIM forces comprise of manpower from Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa, Angola and other regional members.

In a statement this Sunday, the SADC announced they destroyed a terrorist base in Chitama settlement and killed seventeen terrorists in the process. The base, believed to have been under the command of Sheikh Dr Njile North, was reduced to rubble by the regional forces.

SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) spokesperson, Major Patrick Mfaladi of the Botswana Defence Force said the offensive was launched on September 25 in an area south of the Messalo River in Cabo Delgado province.

However, SAMIM advised that its own troops suffered four casualties: three injuries and a death. The confrontation took place on Saturday in the Cabo Delgado region where terrorists had taken control of large swathes of land prior to the deployment of Rwandan forces as well as SAMIM troops.

The next day, SAMIM forces tracked down and captured a terrorist who was also doubling up as a teacher in the area south of Messalo River, also in Cabo Delgado. One terrorist was neutralized in the process and military hardware including rifles were seized from the terrorists.

Mfaladi said SADC forces continued to support the Government of Mozambique in creating conditions necessary for a return to normal life in Cabo Delgado, through the pursuit of insurgents.

SADC forces, led by South Africa and deputised by Botswana, deployed to Cabo Delgado in July to fight a terrorist onslaught in the oil rich province that has seen more than 3,000 people killed since 2017, with reports of beheadings, disembowelling of expectant mothers and other brutalities