The Armed Defence Forces of Mozambique (FADM) said this week they killed two commanders of an Islamic State-linked terrorist group operating in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, local media reported on Wednesday, August 23.

The two insurgent leaders are Abu Kital, the deputy commander of operations of the Ahlu-Sunnah wal Jama’a (ASWJ) group and Ali Mahando, "who, like Abu Kital, held important positions within the terrorist group, was put out of action,” according to FADM statement quoted in Mozambican media.

The statement said the terrorist commanders were neutralised "as a result of the ongoing operations to combat terrorist actions” carried out in Cabo Delgado in collaboration with "friendly forces.”

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The Mozambican army, Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and a mission from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have joint military operations in Cabo Delgado, which had been destabilised by the Islamist groups since 2017, killing more than 4,000 civilians.

In July 2021, Rwanda deployed troops to Cabo Delgado at the request of the Mozambican government.

They have since secured key rebel strongholds in the districts of Mocimboa da Praia, Palma and Macomia.

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The statement said a FADM motorised unit fell in an ambush on Tuesday on its way to Quiterajo but "the occupants were unharmed.”

"The Mozambican Armed Defence Forces continue to be active in the security and defence of Mozambique and Mozambicans. However, at the moment, they are gathering more information about other movements of other members, which will be made available in due course,” the statement said.

Leaders of the SADC region recently decided to extend the mission in Mozambique by twelve months.