The Mozambican Defense and Security Forces are fighting and chasing terrorist groups from the forests of the Meufi district, in Cabo Delgado province.

According to a Local Force source quoted by DW on Thursday, these are terrorists who allegedly fled the Quissanga district, passing through the communities of Nanlia and Impiri, in the Metuge district. A mixed force made up of soldiers and members of the Local Force questioned the insurgents on Tuesday, in the woods of the village of Mancuaia, where fighting took place.

"After passing through the villages of Nanlia and Impiri, the military authorities got wind of it and deployed a group to chase the rebels. And that's what happened, we pursued, and in the forests of Mancuaia it was possible to exchange fire," said a member of the Local Force involved in the operations, who asked not to be identified.

The same source added that there were injuries on the side of the terrorists, but did not give any information about casualties among the military: "I can only guarantee that we were victorious, we shot some terrorists, but I can't say anything about deaths or injuries on our part. But it was positive.

Since Tuesday, the communities of Mancuaia, Sasalane and Sambene, as well as some camps at least 100 kilometers from the city of Pemba, have been abandoning their homes for the district headquarters of Mecúfi and Pemba, fearing further attacks.

"I transferred my son to Samora Machel primary and secondary school in Pemba. The situation is not good there," said a 45-year-old man, who describes the situation in Mecúfi as uncertain.

Local sources report that at least four members of the Local Force were injured in the fighting, as well as the destruction of a Defense and Security Forces vehicle, after falling into an ambush.

During their escape, the terrorists had kidnapped a couple of peasants in the production fields of Nanlia, who were released hours later.

"They found us in our machamba [agricultural field], and asked the way to Mecúfi, I said I didn't know, so they gave us our luggage to carry for about 20 kilometers and let us go back," explained one of the victims, aged 42, from Nanlia.

During the march, the terrorists said that they would not kill the people again, he added, claiming that the fight is to protect them from oppression: "They told us not to be afraid, they are fighting for the welfare of the people."