Mozambican government forces have announced the launch of an operation to destroy terrorist bases on the border between the districts of Muidumbe and Macomia, which have been the target of rebel incursions in recent days.

The operation, called Volcano IV and with the help of foreign forces supporting Mozambique in the fight against terrorism, aims to "intensify measures to pursue and destroy the enemy's terrorist bases that terrorize the north of the Messalo River, in the Muidumbe district, and the west of Chai, in the Macomia district," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

According to the document, the new raids are a continuation of Operation Volcano I, which was carried out in July last year and culminated in the destruction of the Catupa base, described as the rebels' main refuge inside Macomia district.

"It should be noted that Operation Volcano IV, as well as the other operations aimed at pursuing the enemy, has had a direct impact on Mozambique's defense," said the Ministry of Defense, quoted by Lusa.

The incursions into secluded spots on the banks of the Messalo River, between Muidumbe and Macomia, have gained momentum in recent days and the local authorities believe they are the work of rebel groups roaming the region, fleeing the military operations that have been unleashed by government forces, with the support of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Rwanda.

The province of Cabo Delgado has been facing an armed insurgency for five years, with some attacks claimed by the extremist group Islamic State.

The insurgency has led to a military response since July 2021 with support from Rwanda and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), liberating districts near the gas projects, but new waves of attacks have emerged in the south of the region and in neighboring Nampula province.

The conflict has already displaced a million people, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and caused around 4,000 deaths, according to the ACLED conflict registration project.