BBC Monitoring has recently reported that Islamic State released a statement condemning acts of the Government of Rwanda over the recent deployment of troops to Mozambique to fight insurgents linked to this group.

BBC Monitoring is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation which monitors, and reports on mass media worldwide.

In the statement seen by BBC, Islamic State warned that Rwandan Christians are dragging themselves into acts of violence to innocent Muslims prompting them to fight back.

Speaking to IGIHE, the Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force, Colonel Ronald Rwivanga has revealed that RDF is standby to defend the country and protect Rwandans.

He further stated that the collaboration of Rwandans with Mozambican troops in Cabo Delgadocan irks Islamic State.

“They cannot be happy with the cooperation. It is apparent that they continue to fight you wherever you are. Even these [insurgents in Mozambique] were not willing to cease fire. They resisted but ended up in vain. During the recent press conference, we clarified that Rwanda is standby to deal with the situation anytime as we protect citizens and defend national sovereignty. We are not worried. We are always ready to protect the country and its citizens,” he said.

“Their reaction is not surprising. It is however a testament that these groups work together,” added Col Rwivanga.

Rwanda recently on 9th July 2021 started the deployment of 1000 troops of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Mozambique to fight rebel groups linked the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The group sometimes calls themselves al-Shabaab, although they do not have known links with the Somali al-Shabaab.

The situation started worsening in October 2017 when armed extremists linked ISIL launched an insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region of Mozambique.

Since then, Mozambique Defence Armed Forces have been battling the extremists while many civilians were displaced by the fighting.

The joint operations between Rwandan and Mozambican troops have started yielding where different regions including Palma, Awasse, Mocímboa Da Praia, Quionga, Tete, Zambia, Maputo, Nhica Do Rovuma, Quelimane, Chinda and Mumu have been seized from rebels.

The Spokesperson of Rwanda Defence Force, Colonel Ronald Rwivanga.