Trending 
At least 13 fishermen were killed after Mozambican troops opened fire on boats during an operation in northern Mozambique, local sources and a conflict monitor said on Tuesday.
The incident occurred over the weekend in Cabo Delgado Province, a region affected by a long-running insurgency linked to the Islamic State.
A local security official told AFP that Mozambican naval forces fired on fishing boats near the port town of Mocimboa da Praia early on Sunday.
“At least 15 people were killed and several others were injured,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
A local politician also confirmed the incident, saying between 13 and 15 people were killed while three others were injured.
“Between 13 and 15 people died and three were injured. My friend’s boat was hit but he survived,” the politician said.
Residents reportedly attempted to meet with the local force commander to seek clarification but had not received a response.
The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) Project confirmed the attack and said at least 13 people were killed.
There was no immediate comment from the government or the military regarding the incident.
Mozambique’s security forces have previously faced accusations of abuses against civilians during operations in Cabo Delgado.
The northern province has been affected by an Islamist insurgency since 2017, which has killed thousands of people and displaced many others.
The violence also disrupted a major liquefied natural gas project operated by TotalEnergies, which resumed construction in January after being suspended following a large militant attack in 2021.
According to ACLED, around 6,500 people have been killed since the insurgency began in the region.
