Two months ago, Christian Post reported that “over 100,000 people have been displaced and at least 700 have died in the majority-Christian country of Mozambique since 2017, as the spread of radical Islamic extremism in Africa is starting to plague the continent’s southeast region.”
Then at the end of March, the Islamic State raided the town of Mocimboa da Praia in Cabo Delgado province — the location of liquid natural gas projects worth $60 billion. The jihadis “took over the town in the pre-dawn raid, destroying various infrastructure and burning vehicles,” but then they withdrew their presence later that night, clearly planning to return again.
Jihad Watch reported at the time that although the town reportedly returned to calm, this likely wasn’t the end of such raids.
Then days ago, reports emerged that “a shadowy Islamist group that has terrorised northern Mozambique for more than two years has suddenly become more brazen, unmasking its fighters and openly declaring its goal of turning the gas-rich region into an Islamic state.” The expressed goal was to establish “a government from Allah” and to “apply Islamic law.”
Now, jihadists continue to step up attacks in their endeavor to establish an Islamic caliphate in the gas rich region. They rampaged through Xitaxi in Muidumbe district and “tried to recruit young people to join their ranks, but there was resistance.” This further provoked their rage, and they “indiscriminately killed – cruelly and diabolically – 52 young people.” Most were either shot to death or beheaded.
From the Sahel region to Mozambique, Islamic State- and al Qaeda-affiliated jihadists have been expanding their operations, and they will continue to infiltrate refugee streams into Europe once the coronavirus pandemic is over.
“Islamist group kills 52 in ‘cruel and diabolical’ Mozambique massacre,” by Jason Burke, Guardian, April 22, 2020:
An Islamist extremist group in northern Mozambique has killed dozens of villagers in its most bloody attack.
More than 50 people were massacred in an attack in Xitaxi in Muidumbe district after locals refused to be recruited to its ranks, according to police cited by local media. Most were either shot dead or beheaded.
“The criminals tried to recruit young people to join their ranks, but there was resistance. This provoked the anger of the criminals, who indiscriminately killed – cruelly and diabolically – 52 young people,” police spokesman Orlando Mudumane told the state-owned broadcasting service.
The attack occurred more than two weeks ago but details have only emerged now.
Militants have stepped up attacks in recent weeks as part of a campaign to establish an Islamist caliphate in the gas-rich region, seizing government buildings, blocking roads and briefly hoisting a black-and-white flag carrying religious symbols over towns and villages across Cabo Delgado province. The flag is also used by Isis and other extremists.
In March, the insurgents briefly occupied the centre of Mocimboa da Praia, a district headquarters, burning government facilities, including a barracks, and brandishing banners of affiliation to the so-called Islamic State.
A day later a second town was raided and the district police headquarters badly damaged. Those attackers too carried an Islamic State flag. Twenty to 30 members of Mozambique’s security forces were killed in both attacks, observers said.
Local security forces suffer from poor training, minimal equipment and low morale. Attempts to reinforce with expensive foreign mercenaries do not appear to have been effective…..
Frank Anderson says
“as the spread of radical Islamic extremism ”
Meaning no disrespect to anyone here, This is what standard, orthodox, “final, perfect, complete, unchangeable” islam has taught and practiced for 1400 years, and between 250 and 1000 million dead people to show for it. This is NORMAL, not radical. Radical could be used to describe those who pretend to “co-exist” long enough to gain strength and power to become normal.
I urge that the word “radical” is not used correctly when describing the standard practices of common islam across all imagined divisions and “sects”. There is and has been NOTHING in the teachings of islam other than the goal of world conquest by any and every available means. To be muslim one must join in that goal.
john mcmenamin says
Yep, a Barbaric Totalitarian Ideology followed by male SAVAGES
Frank Anderson says
John, females go along or support this criminal conspiracy. It is not just males.
gravenimage says
Good posts, Frank.
Michael Copeland says
Hear hear.
These extra adjectives, “radical”, “extremist”, “Islamist”, nourish and prolong the false narrative that there is a main normal Islam which is peaceful and loving. There is not.
Quite probably, though, the journalist is constrained by editorially imposed rules,
In the same way that a spade is a spade Islamic jihad is Islamic jihad,.
We have to go on protesting, and setting the record straight.
Frank Anderson says
M.C. I have, for what little it may be worth, the greatest respect for all who are involved in presenting articles here. I would like to know if Jihad Watch has such an editorial policy that either prohibits or avoids clear statements regarding islam. There is no reason for any person who claims to be informed about islam to qualify the truth. The only possible difference, which means nothing in the final result (the hated “end of the day”), the timetable of the conquest, enslavement and murder to reach the goals. The radical wants to kill us today and will make every effort to do it. The moderate is willing to wait for better opportunities. As long as islam exists there will be murder and conquest.
gravenimage says
I would like to know if Jihad Watch has such an editorial policy that either prohibits or avoids clear statements regarding islam.
………………..
There is of course no such policy.
This article from the Guardian is important despite its use of bowdlerized language re Islam. Should Jihad Watch prevent itself from reporting stories unless the source is completely savvy about Islam? Personally, I think this would be a mistake.
Frank Anderson says
GI, the desired response concerning Jihad Watch is a specific denial of any editorial limitation. I believe that is what you have given. Thank you. Qualifying islam as “radical” “moderate” “enlightened” or “reforming” is a waste and an attempted deception. To be muslim, “one who submits” is to accept and further the goals of islam, including the conquest of everyone and everything in the world.
I believe A. Lincoln is credited with saying, “You can fool some of the people all of the time; all of the people some of the time; but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.” Most readers here probably do not need qualifiers such as “radical” to understand what is happening. Whenever such qualifiers appear they should be rejected and dismissed immediately.
Thank you.
gravenimage says
Frank, I think that the importance of running a story sometimes outweighs its language, even when it is equivocal or weasely.
Most Jihad Watch stories come from the MSM, so this problem is common and comes with the territory.
Frank Anderson says
GI, MSM is a bunch of weasels. Jihad Watch is not. It should irritate and offend all of us when attempts at confusion and misdirection are made upon us. We should see these weasels for what they are and what is clearly their goal, to postpone the day of recognition and response to the problem. I look in the mirror and see a person who was totally in error about the “religion of peace” for most of 7 years. I am furious at myself for letting the deception work, and furious at those who tricked and conned me and others with their lies.
I suggest that care should be taken that quoting a dubious source should not be taken as adopting and approving false details parroted by the source. Thank you again for your assurance of the integrity of JW’s policy.
Michael Copeland says
‘The expressed goal was to establish “a government from Allah” and to “apply Islamic law.”
This aim is the same aim as the Uighurs have, the muslims in Myanmar, West Timor, the Philippines, and everywhere where “separatist insurgents” (preferred BBC term) are killing and bombing. Islam is government. The imperative is to impose it by force.
Can the mainstream media one day grasp this basic item of Islamic doctrine?
Is it too much to hope for?
mortimer says
In Mozambique, the so-called ‘religion of peace’ has launched its holy month of Ramadan with war.
Mural says
As per wiki : Catholicism had increased to 30.5% of the population, Muslims constituted 19.3%, and various Protestant groups a total of 44%.
Once Islam crosses the 20% mark , generally, all hell breaks loose.
gravenimage says
Mozambique: Jihad group pursues “government of Allah,” massacres 52 in “cruel and diabolical” rampage
……………
Horrifying–Jihadists are targeting Mozambique more and more.
OLD GUY says
I’am not sure these Jihad groups are even islamic, but use the term islamic to attract attention and funds. They appear to be criminal gangsters that are preying upon the populations of these countries for profit, using rape and murder and child enslavement to arms to grow their organization. These men and women are not religious they are power hungry murders with no concern for anyone but themselves. They need to be destroyed.
Frank Anderson says
O.G. in my reading this is what muslim gangsters have been doing for 1400 years plus. Have you seen any different, please?
Mural says
OG. They are more Islamic than their somewhat less violent brethren.