An ambush in Mozambique over the weekend resulted in the deaths of three Rwandan soldiers and left six others wounded, according to a Rwandan army spokesperson on Tuesday.
Rwanda initially deployed approximately 1,000 members of its Defence Force (RDF) and National Police (RNP) to Mozambique in 2021 to address the ongoing insurgency.
Army spokesperson Ronald Rwivanga confirmed the May 3 incident in Cabo Delgado province, stating, “It is true our soldiers in Mozambique were attacked in an ambush, in which three were killed.”
He acknowledged the combat zone environment, noting that such incidents are expected, but assured that “the situation was handled” and the wounded are “recovering well.”
The gas-rich Cabo Delgado province has recently experienced increased attacks by militants with links to the Islamic State group.
This latest incident marks a rise in conflict in a region that has endured years of violence.
The insurgency has caused thousands of deaths, displaced over a million people, and led to the suspension of TotalEnergies’ major gas exploration project.
