In October 2020, conflicting accounts emerged regarding a significant military operation in the Awasse area of Mocimboa da Praia district, Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. One version, the official account, portrayed a successful operation conducted by the defense and security forces between October 15 and 17, resulting in the claimed elimination of 270 Islamist terrorists. The official version highlighted the absence of casualties among Mozambican forces, as well as the return of the troops to Mueda with seven captured trucks filled with equipment. This operation was characterized by a collaborative effort involving both defense force members and veterans of Mozambique's national independence war, individuals with extensive knowledge of the area. The conflict extended to Chinda village, situated at the Mbau crossroads on the road to the Macomia district. The official account was bolstered by a recorded statement from a fighter circulating on Mozambican social media, expressing confidence in the operation's success.
In contrast, another version published on Acleddata.com stated that no evidence was presented to support this extraordinary claim, and it raised suspicions of being an overstatement or potentially fabricated. Several factors contributed to the skepticism surrounding this account. Firstly, no official government source had corroborated the claim in the following week. Additionally, no photographs of the operation, the units involved, or the aftermath were released, which seemed unusual for an operation of such significance. While a pro-government website claimed to have photos of military equipment gathered in the operation, these images were related to insurgent supplies recovered in a different area. Moreover, sources close to the government's counterinsurgency effort appeared unaware of the alleged operation.
Even Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi, who visited Cabo Delgado, made no mention of Awasse in his speech. The head of the police Rapid Intervention Unit, Francisco Quiasse Madiquida, mentioned the purported Awasse operation, but his reference appeared to be more about shaming insubordinate police officers than confirming the operation's success.

Type of Data Point - News or Reportage

Mozambique: 270 Islamist terrorists killed in Awasse region, forces claim - Devdiscourse.com

Visit page of City/Town - Awasse

Inserted: 07-11-2023 19:11:10