Mozambique’s military has initiated an operation in response to a significant attack by Islamist insurgents on the northern town of Macomia in Cabo Delgado province. The assault, which began on Friday morning, involved hundreds of fighters and is considered the most serious in the region in recent years.
President Filipe Nyusi confirmed that the army is actively engaging the insurgents, who initially withdrew after about 45 minutes of fighting but later regrouped and resumed their offensive.
This escalation comes amid a drawdown of regional forces from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which had been deployed in Mozambique since 2021 to combat the insurgency. The withdrawal has raised concerns about a potential security vacuum in the area. 
The attack also poses challenges for energy projects in the region. French oil company TotalEnergies is seeking to restart a $20 billion liquefied natural gas terminal in Cabo Delgado that was halted in 2021 due to the insurgency. This project is located approximately 200 kilometers north of Macomia.
The insurgency in Cabo Delgado, which began in 2017, has led to a surge in attacks since January this year, despite a large security response. The recent attack on Macomia underscores the ongoing challenges Mozambique faces in restoring peace and stability in the region.
