New Tactics: First Known Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M) Attack on Tourist Destination

Authored by: Cara Rau, Political and Intelligence Analyst focussed on Jihadism and Political Violence 

Warning: This report contains descriptions of graphic violence. 

Bottom Line Up Front

On 30 April 2025, Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M) claimed credit for an attack that targeted the Kambako hunting area of the Chapungu-Kambako Safari (CKS) camp in the Niassa Special Reserve. This is the first known targeting  of a tourist destination in Mozambique by IS-M. Images from Islamic State show at least five victims who appear to be guards or rangers based on their clothing. Additionally, it was confirmed that at least two camp workers were beheaded. The camp was also looted and set alight. 

Niassa Reserve is located on the border of the Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces. Attacks by the group in Niassa Province are very rare and the IS-M activity is concentrated in Cabo Delgado. 

IS-M Communications 

It is notable that Islamic State released claims of credit for the attack from both the Nashir and Amaq News Agencies. Communications from Amaq are usually reserved for strategically important attacks and not all attacks by IS get an Amaq claim. This highlights that the group views this incident as a significant development. 

In the claim of credit for the attack, Islamic State referred to the location of the attack as a valued Christian tourist site. This speaks to the group's known and continued targeting of Christians and infrastructure owned by Christians. It also highlights the fact that this is not an ordinary attack targeting  infrastructure such as army camps or Christian homes, but that it is a new tactic targeting tourist destinations. 

Further, the claim of credit reported that the attack was part of IS-M's ongoing war against Christians, the Mozambican government and the economy. The claim went on to say that many Christian tourism companies invest in the hunting and trekking sectors within Niassa Reserve. The claim also explicitly stated that these attacks are likely to harm the tourism sector which relies heavily on reserves like Niassa. This rhetoric by the group speaks to an expansion in tactics and it is possible that this is the first of more attacks on Mozambique's tourism and reserves sectors by IS-M. 

The attackers seized a small amount of weaponry from the guards who were protecting the area and official images from IS's propaganda wing show at least five victims. Multiple posed images were shared by IS in the wake of the attack and it appears the cell had sufficient time to set up images that convey a sense of power over the area. For example, one image shows twenty-one IS-M members posing in front of a light aircraft that was later set on fire. The IS communications also stated that there were no losses on their side. This is a common feature of IS propaganda where the reader is reminded of the military skill necessary to carry out a strategically significant attack without incurring any losses. 

Islamic State Mozambique (IS-M) militants pose inside the Niassa Special Reserve in front of a light aircraft. 

Hostage taking as a financing mechanism 

This blog has previously spoken about Islamic State's use of kidnap-for-ransom (K&R) as a financing mechanism. According to the Mozambique Information Agency (AIM) who cite Carta de Moçambique, a hostage situation took place during the attack. AIM reported that the attackers took four people hostage and demanded a ransom of three million meticais for their release. The same source reports that  their ransom was rejected due to "global rules against financing terrorism". The source said that after the rejection, the attackers set fire to the main camp. The hostage situation was also confirmed by Jacques Hartzenberg, Owner of Chapungu Safaris Africa. The Citizen, through Caxton Network News, reported that according to Hartzenberg, "the staff who were present during the attack are traumatised and afraid to return to work, although they are still supportive of the company." 

The hostage situation raises the ever-present ethical question of whether paying ransoms to terrorist groups should be done and whether preventing the financing of terrorism outweighs the importance of retrieving a hostage. 

Potential Implications for South African Businesses

The Chapungu-Kambako Safari camp is owned and operated by a South African company. According to NuusFlits, who cites Mr Jumbo Moore, the Director of Kambako Safaris, the camp had been equipped for the hunting season which opened on 1 May. It is also important to note that Mozambique has a border with South Africa and the two countries share warm economic relations, with South Africans frequently travelling to southern Mozambique for holiday and some doing business in various parts of the country. According to the South African High Commission in Maputo, "a large number of South African companies, estimated to be more than 300 operate in Mozambique". 

This attack has drawn media attention in South Africa, likely for its connection to a South African company. It remains to be seen what the impact of this attack will be on the Mozambican tourism sector, specifically on the hunting and game lodge industry in the North. It is possible that this attack could lead to a decline in visitors to the Niassa Special Reserve and if attacks continue in the long term, it is likely to have a negative impact on the local economy. Many local people who work in the game reserve industry in this area rely on the reserves for their income, which usually peaks during the safari season. If this attack discourages visitors during the hunting season which has just begun, it could heavily impact the local communities. 

An IS-M attacker loots an office in the Niassa Special Reserve. 

IS-M image showing the burning of a light aircraft in the Niassa Special Reserve. 

Second attack reported by local media 

On 14 May 2025, Carta de Moçambique reported that a new attack by "terrorists" took place on the evening of 12 May in the village of Macalange in Niassa province. Macalange is also located inside the Niassa Special Reserve, and the same source reports that the attack happened after the population had returned after fleeing on 29 April. Though the attack has not yet been claimed at the time of writing, it is very likely, considering the location, that IS-M is behind it. According to Carta de Moçambique's sources, some people appear missing after this attack, but the situation remains unclear at the moment. 

Looking Forward 

The fact that IS-M successfully carried out an attack on a new type of target is concerning. It is possible or even likely that this escalation is a result of strategic talks between IS-M and Islamic State Central Command. Further, the location of the Kambako attack on the border with Niassa Province is indicative of possible expansion by the group into Niassa Province. The group was previously briefly active in Niassa Province in 2021 and if the reported Macalange attack of 12 May proves to also be the work of IS-M, this would show that they are capable of returning to operational theatres where they were previously active.