2025 Mocímboa da Praia attacks

The 2025 Mocímboa da Praia attacks took place during September 2025 in the town of Mocímboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, where the Islamic State Mozambique (ISM) insurgents committed several attacks. The attacks included targeted killings, beheadings, and raids that eventually caused fear, displacement, and a humanitarian crises in the region.

Mocímboa da Praia is an important port town located in the northern area of Mozambique. Since 2017, the town has been a center of Islamist insurgency linked to the Islamic State.^[1] The control over the town shifted between government forces and insurgents, when the notable events took place in 2020 when ISM captured the town for a year, only to be later by reclaimed government and allied forces in 2021.^[2][3][4]

In early September 2025, armed groups became more active in the Mocímboa da Praia district. Fighters went into neighborhoods near the town center, causing many people to panic and run away. Aid organizations said that security dangers were growing in several communities.^[5][6][7]

On 22 September 2025, insurgent forces began attacks on the Filipe Nyusi neighborhood of Mocímboa da Praia. According to reports the attackers moved from house to house searching for residents, ending with five civilians killed, four of them were beheaded, and a woman was shout in the head.^[8]

Between 19 and 26 September, more attacks took place in the town and the neighboring Balama district, resulting in the displacement of thousands of people, according to the Emergency Tracking Tool (ETT) reports.^[9][10]

According to reports the violence and attacks continue in the town and the surrounding district throughout September and October. This as part of the ongoing conflict in Cabo Delgado, between the ISM and government and allied forces. Humanitarian organizations claim the situation deteriorating as villages are attacked by night raids, kidnappings, and looting in multiple districts, where the ISM insurgency remains a significant threat to regional stability.^[11][10]

The attacks on Mocímboa da Praia have caused a large scale displacement, as more than 23,000 people fled from the town and district. All together within three months, over 90,000 have been displaced as the attacks spread through other districts.^[10]

The USAID shutdown according to research and reports was a crucial blow to the country that half of its population is under the poverty line.^[11] This has increased insecurity and risks civilians and aid groups, as well as limiting access to medical aid to a region already suffering from significant humanitarian needs.

Mozambique's Defense and Security Forces (FADM), together with their allies, including soldiers from Rwanda, keep carrying out operations in the district attempting to stop the violence. However, the insurgent groups are still able to carry out attacks in areas near the district capital.^[12][11]

The constant aid o emergency help with food, water, schools, and health care has ended due to the cut in the USAID, which hurt local projects against ISIS and weakened government services, leaving some hospital wards almost empty and short of supplies. Even though The US continues to support with life saving food aid and money through the UN, it is not sufficient enough to cope with the outcome of the 2025 attacks.^[13][14]

International groups are worried about the rise in ISIS-linked attacks in Mocímboa da Praia and nearby areas. The UN and other aid groups are asking for more long-term funding to deal with the crisis, but MSF and others have had to pause work because it is too dangerous. Falling donor support and changing aid priorities make it harder to respond, showing the need for a joined-up plan that includes security, development, and humanitarian help.^[15]

• Battle of Palma
• 2021 Cabo Delgado offensives