Mozambique’s jihadi rebels launch new offensive in north

By ALEXANDRE NHAMPOSSA and TOM GOULD
Associated Press

MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — A new offensive by Mozambique’s Islamic extremist rebels in the embattled northern province of Cabo Delgado has increased the number of displaced by 80,000 and undermines the government’s claims of containing the insurgency.   The rebels’ drive began on June 5 following a period of relative calm when the commander-general of Mozambique’s national police had declared that “the war against terrorism is almost at an end.” That claim proved to be hollow as the fighters struck further south than ever, burning villages and beheading civilians in the Ancuabe, Chiure and Mecufi districts which had previously been untouched by the conflict since it began in October 2017. The violence brings the number displaced in Cabo Delgado to just under 950,000.