In a span of four days from October 9–12, the entire village of Napala in northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province was severely destroyed when extremist group Al Shabab launched a series of attacks on the predominantly Christian village.
Two churches were burned down, 20 Christians killed, and around 1,300 homes were destroyed. This latest attack has caused the displacement of at least 2,000 believers.
Open Doors’ local partners spoke with pastors in the area. One pastor explained that the situation quickly deteriorated when the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) withdrew from the fight. According to the pastor, everything got worse when the FDS tried to intervene without success. When they fled, they left everything worse for those people.
A community leader shared that since the military were already in confrontation with terrorists, after they retreated, the group—which is linked to the Islamic State—continued their attacks, causing massive destruction.
The region has faced multiple violent attacks this year, triggering widespread displacement. ReliefWeb reports that a major influx of people—mostly into the town of Chiure—occurred between July 24 and August 3 after a series of assaults by non-state armed groups.
The International Organization for Migration noted that this was the largest sudden wave of displacement in the province since early 2024, with an estimated 425,000 people currently displaced within the region.
According to an Open Doors field source, hundreds of churches have been burned, countless Christians have been assaulted, and numerous violent incidents against the faithful remain unreported.
The field source reported that even normal areas are considered risky and that authorities are prohibiting all photography and circulation of information.
Whether a foreigner or a Mozambican, anyone found in possession of a phone capable of taking pictures risks arrest or confiscation. This pervasive atmosphere of fear and silence consequently allows the truth to be suppressed and the suffering to persist in the shadows.
A strong plea has come from the field sources, asking for dedicated prayer for the church in Mozambique.