Africa-Press – Mozambique. At least three bodies were found at the administrative post of Chiúre Velho, Cabo Delgado province, the scene of renewed attacks by extremist groups since July 24. Two other soldiers are alleged to have been killed by ‘naparamas’.
According to a source from the Local Force (paramilitaries supporting the fight against rebel groups operating in Cabo Delgado since 2017,) the bodies, with visible gunshot wounds, were found on Tuesday (05-08) in the local forests, in an area where cassava, corn, and sesame are produced, about 30 km from the town of Chiúre, in the south of the province.
“These are the bodies of adults. They found them and notified the district authorities, but no one knows who they are because the bodies are in poor condition,” the same source reported, speaking from Chiúre.
The bodies were found by a group of military personnel patrolling the region following the current wave of attacks in the southern area of Cabo Delgado province. Forces composed of Mozambican and Rwandan military personnel are on the ground, the source added.
“We have forces in both Chiúre Velho and Ocua. The idea is to control the rebels’ movement,” the Local Force source said, adding that in some areas, residents are returning to their villages.
Military personnel killed by ‘naparamas’
Additionally, two members of the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces (FDS) died in attacks attributed to ‘naparamas’ paramilitaries in Chiúre district.
“The officers were carrying out their routine duties in the area. They were questioned, taken to the group leader’s house, and, unfortunately, killed there,” Eugênia Nhamussua, spokesperson for the Provincial Command of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) in Cabo Delgado, told the media.
According to the spokesperson, the crimes occurred last week in the village of Nivenevene, in the administrative post of Chiúre-Velho, and in the village of Ocua, in the administrative post of the same name – two locations that have been the scene of attacks in recent days by insurgent groups also operating in the region. In one of these attacks, at least 18 ‘naparamas’ were killed in an ambush by the insurgent groups.
Nhamussua explained that the officers were questioned by the alleged ‘naparamas’ in Chiúre-Velho while they carrying a pistol with 26 rounds of ammunition.
“The pistol was recovered at the scene and the victims’ bodies were taken to the Chiúre Rural Hospital,” she said.
Eugênia Nhamussua said that the two victims murdered in Ocua were stopped and attacked by the group while they were traveling on a motorcycle with two other people, who were seriously injured.
According to the spokesperson, efforts are now underway to identify, locate, and hold accountable the perpetrators of the crime, who are on the run.
Attacks in Cabo Delgado
More than 57,000 people have been displaced since July 20th in Cabo Delgado following a resurgence of extremist attacks, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
According to the latest IOM report, with data from July 20 to August 3, released this week, “escalating attacks and heightened fear of violence by Non-State Armed Groups (NSAGs) in Muidumbe, Ancuabe and Chiure districts led to the displacement of approximately 57,034 individuals (13,343 families), as of 03 August 2025”.
This is the largest spike in displacement due to attacks in about a year, with people seeking refuge in Chiúre-Sede.
Individuals associated with the extremist group Islamic State claimed responsibility on Monday for new attacks in the districts of Chiúre and Muidumbe, with at least five people beheaded, amidst escalating violence in Cabo Delgado.
The Minister of National Defence on Thursday admitted concern about the wave of new attacks, adding that the defence forces were on the ground and in pursuit of the rebels.
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