Maputo:  A brutal assault by  militants in northern Mozambique has left at least 20 Christians dead and displaced nearly 2,000 villagers. The attack, carried out between October 9 and 12 in Napala, a small community in Cabo Delgado Province, has once again drawn attention to the worsening insurgency that continues to ravage the region.

According to Open Doors, heavily armed militants raided the village, setting fire to more than 1,300 homes and two churches. Eyewitnesses said the government’s security forces initially responded but later retreated, leaving residents defenseless as the attackers returned to continue their rampage. In one of the most horrific incidents, four elderly women were tied up and burned alive in their home.

The perpetrators are believed to be members of Ahlu Sunnah wa Jama’ah, a group linked to the Islamic State that has been carrying out violent operations in northern Mozambique since 2017. The militants have targeted Christian communities, burned places of worship, and forced thousands to flee as part of their campaign to impose extremist control.

Humanitarian organizations report that the violence has displaced tens of thousands in recent months. The United Nations and the International Organization for Migration estimate that over 57,000 people were uprooted in July alone, adding to an already dire crisis. Many of the displaced are now living in temporary shelters with limited access to food, clean water, or medical aid.

Despite efforts by Mozambique’s armed forces and regional allies, the insurgency continues to spread. Local clergy and aid workers describe widespread fear among Christian families, many of whom have lost relatives, homes, and their sense of safety.

International observers have urged stronger intervention and support for the victims. Relief agencies warn that without immediate humanitarian assistance, the situation in Cabo Delgado could worsen further.

The Napala tragedy stands as a heartbreaking example of the suffering endured by Mozambique’s Christian communities caught between violence, displacement, and the struggle to hold on to hope amid chaos.