Ansar al-Sunna Mozambique
highlights:
Also Known As: Ansar al-Sharia, Ahlu al-Sunna, Swahili Sunna;
Country Of Origin: Mozambique;
Operational Area: Mozambique;
Involved In: Smuggling, Armed Attacks, Bomb Attacks, Human Trafficking;
Connected With:
Al-Shabaab Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen, more commonly known as al-Shabaab, is a… [+]
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Connected Events:
- US authorities blacklist Islamic State affiliates in Africa as Specially Designated Global Terrorists The Biden administration on Wednesday designated two affiliates of the… [+]
- Terrorism insurgency in Mozambique can spread to the neighbour coutries Plans are in place for the SA Defence Force (SANDF)… [+]
- Fifty-two villagers killed by terrorists in northern Mozambique A shadowy extremist group that has terrorized northern Mozambique killed… [+]
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General Info:
Ansar al-Sunna Mozambique also known as Ansar al-Sharia, al-Shabaab, Ahlu al-Sunna, and Swahili Sunna is an Islamist militant group active in Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique. The group has attacked security forces and civilians in an attempt to establish an Islamic state in the area.
The group was reportedly formed in Cabo Delgado by followers of the radical Kenyan cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammed who resettled in Mozambique following his death in 2012. The group became increasingly violent in 2017, carrying out attacks on government and civilian targets.
Funding for the group is raised from illegal smuggling, religious networks, and people-traffickers, which the group uses to send recruits to Tanzania, Kenya and Somalia for military and ideological training.
Members of Ansar al-Sunna are reportedly mostly Mozambicans from the Mocimboa da Praia, Palma and Macomia districts, but also include foreign nationals from Tanzania and Somalia.
Portuguese, Kimwane and Swahili are all reportedly spoken by the group’s members. The group actively recruits young Mozambicans who are resentful of the government due to high unemployment and lack of economic opportunities.
