Battle of Mbau

The Battle of Mbau was a battle by the joint Mozambican-Rwandan armed forces against ISIS and Al-Shabab in their headquarters of Mbau, a town 50 kilometers southwest of Mocimboa da Praia.[1] The attack on the location was part of the 2021 Cabo Delgado offensives. Mbau was known as the headquarters of Al-Shabaab and the Mozambican counteroffensive on the town resulted in the loss of Mbau, Siri 1, and Siri 2.[3]

Battle of Mbau
Part of the 2021 Cabo Delgado offensives of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado

Map of operations on Mbau
Date12 August 2021 - 22 August 2021
Location
Mbau, Mocímboa da Praia, Cabo Delgado
Result Mozambican-Rwandan Victory
Belligerents
 Mozambique
 Rwanda		 Islamic State
Al-Shabab
Commanders and leaders
Xavier Antonio[1] Abdulaim (POW)
Muhamudu †
Strength
30 military vehicles, 4 helicopters 80-100[2]
Casualties and losses
11

Background

Al-Shabaab with assistance from ISIS had taken control of Mbau during its offensive in Cabo Delgado in August 2020 and has committed numerous atrocities against civilians in the area.[4] Fighting had taken around the town, but Mozambican and Rwandan forces had been repelled from the region.[5]

Fighting

Offensive on the Town

Mozambique as well as Rwandan forces announced a counteroffensive during the insurgency to retake Mbau on 12 August 2021.[6] It was reported that there were more than 30 military vehicles and 4 helicopters arriving in Macomia for the offensive.

Fighting

Fires were reported in the Mbau forest after ISIS had left it during its retreat to Mbau on 17 August.[7] On 19 August, Rwandan and Mozambican troops entered the town along with other towns near the area.[8] On 21 August, Rwandan forces as well as Mozambican forces took control of most of the town, with ISIS troops on the outskirts.[9] It was reported that ISIS fighters had cut down trees to slow down the allied forces.[10] On 22 August, Mozambican and Rwandan forces confirmed the liberation of the town.[11][12]

War Crimes

Human Rights Watch reported that Al-Shabaab used child soldiers after one of them escaped the Mbau Al-Shabaab Training Centre where he was held captive and later turned into a child soldier.[13] Numerous civilians have also been killed in Mbau during the fighting.

Aftermath

Shortly after the recapture of the town, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni said he would like to join the Mozambican and Rwandan forces in their counteroffensive.[2] Mozambican forces also seized a boat escaping Mbau after the takeover.[14] It was also reported that leader of a Renamo splinter group was captured after he massacred 51 men in Limala, near Mbau.[15]

References
  1. "Mozambique: Mozambican and Rwandan Forces Take Mbau". allAfrica.com. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  2. "After Rwanda has done the heavy lifting in Mozambique, Museveni says he now wants in". The New Times. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  3. "Mozambican and Rwandan forces take Mbau - Watch". Mozambique. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  4. "Mozambique: Civilians Prevented from Fleeing Fighting". Human Rights Watch. 6 August 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  5. "Rwanda says it has killed 14 insurgents in Mozambique". news.trust.org. Thomson Reuters Foundation. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  6. "Troops seen in Macomia for next stage of Cabo Delgado offensive". Zitamar News. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  7. "Cabo Ligado Weekly: 9-15 August 2021". Cabo Ligado. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. "Rwandan-Mozambican troops attack Rebels in Mbau". Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  9. "Ingabo z'u Rwanda zigaruriye ibirindiro by'ibyihebe bya Mbau muri Mozambique". Rwanda Broadcasting Agency News. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  10. "Cabo Ligado Weekly: 16-22 August 2021" (PDF). 24 August 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. "SADC force claims it has brought stability to Mueda, Macomia and Nangade". Zitamar News. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  12. "Mozambican and Rwandan forces take Mbau - Watch". Mozambique. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  13. "ISIS-linked Group Using Child Soldiers in Mozambique". Human Rights Watch. 29 September 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  14. "Mozambique: Mozambican Forces Seize Suspect Boat". allAfrica.com. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  15. Esau (i_esau), Iain (12 October 2021). "Mozambique: Two insurgency leaders killed in Cabo Delgado | Upstream Online". Upstream Online | Latest oil and gas news. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
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