Two Christian men were beheaded in a terrorist attack in a region of Mozambique known as “the land of fear.”
The Islamic State of Mozambique — also known as al-Shabaab — has claimed responsibility for shooting and beheading the two men, reported relief group Barnabas Fund. The July 30 ambush occurred in the Macomia district of the Cabo Delgado region. The violence and atrocities against Christians and moderate Muslims in the district have resulted in the area being called “the land of fear.”
Islamist militants largely have control of Cabo Delgado.
‘Systematically victimized’
“The Christian majority in Mozambique is being systematically victimized by one of the most savage terrorist groups currently operating in our world,” stated a 2021 communication from Barnabas Fund.
“Since 2017 nearly 800 attacks have killed more than 2,500 people.”
Even though forces from Mozambique and the Southern African Development Community have worked to quell the violence, Barnabas Fund said the reach of Islamist militants appears to be expanding.
Mozambique is No. 41 on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
