Battle of Mbau
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| Battle of Mbau | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the 2021 Cabo Delgado offensives of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado | |||||||
 Map of operations on Mbau | |||||||
| |||||||
| 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 | |||||||
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]
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]