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Suspected militants kidnap South African and local workers in northern Mozambique

Associated Press reports that insurgents attacked a wildlife camp in Niassa province, abducting multiple people and killing one.

The short version

  • Insurgents believed to be linked to the Islamic State raided a hunting camp in Niassa province, killing one person and kidnapping workers.[Associated Press]
  • A 30-year-old South African citizen was seized alongside local workers, while four other South Africans at the reserve were caught up in the raid.[Associated Press]
  • Mozambican and South African officials have offered conflicting tallies on the exact number of captives taken during the assault.[Associated Press]

Key facts

  • A 30-year-old South African man was kidnapped alongside an estimated 15 to 20 Mozambican workers during an attack on a hunting camp.[Associated Press]
  • The abducted South African was one of five South African nationals working at the wildlife reserve.[Associated Press]
  • Mozambican police separately reported that at least 11 people, including children, were abducted in Marangira.[Associated Press]
  • Police confirmed one person was killed, another was injured, and vehicles were burned during the raid.[Associated Press]
  • Conflict monitoring group ACLED noted this was the insurgent group's first incursion into Niassa province since May 2025.[Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact number of abducted individuals remains uncertain due to conflicting counts from Mozambican police and South Africa's foreign ministry.[Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.