Africa-Press – Mozambique. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) has reaffirmed its collective commitment to achieving peace, stability and security in the northern province of Cabo Delgado as well as in Mozambique as a whole.
According to a press release issued on Wednesday by SAMIM, the forces of the military mission in support of the Mozambican government are continuing to create the conditions necessary for a return to normal life in the province as they pursue the islamist terrorists who have been operating in Cabo Delgado since October 2017.
In support of the Mozambican Armed Forces (FADM), SAMIM recently concluded two major operations which began in October 2021 and came to their conclusion in January 2022. The operations led to the capture and destruction of several bases of the terrorist organisation sometimes known as “Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah” (ASWJ) in the area east of the small town of Chai and the Messalo River in Macomia district.
During these operations, 31 terrorists were killed whilst 16 women, eight children and two elderly men, believed to have been abducted by the terrorists, were rescued. The victims are now under the care of the Mozambican authorities.
The SAMIM forces also seized weapons that include five RPG rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPG), five PKM machine guns, 48 AK47 assault rifles and grenades. Other equipment seized included vehicles, motorbikes, and cell phones.
During what was code-named “Operation Buffalo”, SAMIM Forces met strong resistance from the terrorists but were able to inflict fatalities and disrupt ASWJ activities as well as continuing to dominate and pursue the terrorists in the theatre of operations.
On a somber note, SAMIM forces suffered one fatality and two injuries during these offensives while the FADM suffered six casualties, including two fatalities. The injured soldiers are now on their way to full recovery.
Between December 28 and January 5, the Force Commander, Major General Xolani Mankayi, visited troops on the front line on a debriefing mission. Mankayi commended the Special Forces for their gallantry in being able to disrupt the ASWJ in areas where the terrorists thought no one would ever locate them.
He urged them to continue exhibiting military professionalism and courage as they assist Mozambique in fighting terrorism and violent extremism. Mankayi also had an opportunity to interact with community leaders in the operational theatre who vowed to assist SAMIM Forces in bringing stability to Cabo Delgado.
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