Islamic State-affiliated militants executed their most lethal attack on Mozambican troops since 2021, signaling an escalation in security concerns ahead of TotalEnergies’ anticipated restart of a USD 20 bln LNG project in Mozambique. This resurgence of violence contrasts with previous successes in combating militancy in Cabo Delgado, challenging the optimistic security assessments that had encouraged plans to resume the gas project paused in 2021.