Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 4 - ISIS-Mozambique (ISIS-M)

ISIS-Mozambique

Aka:  Ansar al-Sunna; Helpers of Tradition; Ahl al-Sunna wa al-Jamaa; Adherents to the Traditions and the Community; al-Shabaab in Mozambique; Islamic State Central Africa Province; Wilayah Central Africa; Ansaar Kalimat Allah; Supporters of the Word of Allah.

Description:  ISIS-M was designated as an FTO on March 10, 2021.  ISIS-M reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS as early as 2018 and was acknowledged by ISIS as an affiliate in 2019.  Since 2017, ISIS-M, led by Abu Yasir Hassan, has killed more than 1,300 civilians as of the end of 2024, and it was estimated that the terrorist group’s attacks have led to the deaths of more than 4,000 civilians, security force members, and suspected ISIS-M defectors and rule breakers since it began its terrorist insurgency.

Activities:  The group took over the town of Mucojo in Cabo Delgado in January 2024 and displaced more than 100,000 civilians between early February and early March.  It also kidnapped more than 70 children during an attack in early March, and in May, the group launched an attack on the town of Macomia, displacing at least 700 and leading to at least 10 deaths.

Strength:  ISIS-M was estimated to have fewer than 250 fighters.

Location/Area of Operation:  Primarily Mozambique; also conducted attacks in Tanzania.

Funding and External Aid:  ISIS-M’s sources of funding remained unclear.  However, ISIS-M had targeted banks in previous operations.  In addition, the group had taken control of food supplies in areas under its control and captured weapons from government security forces.

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