At least three American citizens were evacuated from Mozambique after suspected insurgents attacked a camp co-owned by football coach Carlos Queiroz in a wildlife reserve. The incident occurred in northern Mozambique, near the Niassa Special Reserve, an area known for big-game hunting that draws international visitors, including from the U.S.
A source familiar with the incident stated that the camp was burned down, but confirmed no fatalities. The three Americans were reportedly out hunting at the time of the attack. Mozambique's military responded to the scene, and staff had fled.
The U.S. State Department confirmed the U.S. Embassy in Mozambique was aware of an attack on a hunting lodge in the vicinity of the Niassa Special Reserve. However, the department did not confirm whether any Americans were directly affected.
The Niassa Special Reserve is one of Africa's largest protected wilderness areas and is located near the gas-rich province of Cabo Delgado. Mozambique has been contending with an Islamic State-linked insurgency in Cabo Delgado since 2017, a conflict that has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The State Department had previously issued travel warnings for the Niassa Special Reserve, advising citizens against travel due to the risk of terrorist activity, including targeted attacks on upscale hunting lodges and hostage-taking.
Regional analyst Tertius Jacobs suggested that insurgents may have abducted several civilians and looted supplies before withdrawing towards Cabo Delgado. While reports indicated three Americans were affected, casualty figures and the number of abductions remain unverified. The Mozambican government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
In a similar incident last year within the Niassa Reserve, a tourist camp was destroyed, and six people, including four rangers, were killed during skirmishes.