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20 Christians Beheaded, More Killed by Jihadists in Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique

20 Christians Beheaded, More Killed by Jihadists in Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique

World news

As the relentless massacre of Christians in Nigeria grieves thousands around the world, violence against believers in Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is also surging after extremists affiliated with the Islamic State claimed responsibility for slaughtering Christians in the latest spate of jihadist violence. Between both countries, 20 Christians are reported to have been beheaded in recent weeks.

According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) claimed responsibility for violent assaults on Christian villages in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where 18 people were beheaded.

A statement released by the terror group on its information channels boasted that during an attack on the Mayba Village, in Lubero Territory of the DRC on November 12th, 12 Christians were beheaded. A similar attack that took place just days prior claimed the “Caliphate’s soldiers” used machine guns in an attack on Mazenze Village in DRC’s northeastern Ituri Province, killing six Christians and burning about 20 homes, according to MEMRI’s Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor. 

Meanwhile, in Mozambique, four Christians have been killed, including two people who were beheaded, in the Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, as several others fled villages. 

Bishop Alberto Vera of Nacala oversees a diocese in Nampula, where some of the murders took place. He told Aid to the Church in Need that several settlements have been attacked, thousands of people have fled, and hundreds of homes have been set on fire since November 10th. 

“It was a week of terror and much suffering,” he described. “Parents and their children had to flee to safer places. Thousands of families are suffering and trying to escape the terrorists. The situation is very confusing, and in some places, most of the houses were burned, and people have been killed.”

As CBN News has reported, violent attacks began in Cabo Delgado Province in 2017. Over the last eight years, the armed insurgency has caused thousands of deaths and triggered a humanitarian crisis affecting over one million internally displaced persons. 

According to a recent United Nations report, in just one week, nearly 128,000 people fled from the villages in the Nampula province of northern Mozambique, following new attacks by extremist groups.

“Terror is in the whole district of Memba and also in the north and east of the district of Eráti. Memba is a now deserted city,” Nacala expressed.

CBN News reported in October that more than 30 Christians were beheaded and churches were burned down at the hands of Islamic State terrorists.

Despite the reign of terror and escalating violence, ministry leaders remain committed to pursuing peace and supporting affected communities.

“For more than seven years, the region has faced recurring waves of violence, and we are still praying and believing for lasting peace,” wrote Iris Global ministry in October. “At times, it’s hard to know how much to share—we don’t want to burden anyone with the hardships when there is also so much good news. Yet our Mozambican family, pastors and missionaries in the region truly need your prayers right now.”

Will Hart, the CEO of Iris Global, emphasized that last month’s attack is just one story of hundreds of people’s lived experiences “every single day.”

“But love looks like something in the midst of the chaos,” he shared, adding that while the focus of these attacks has specifically targeted Christians, they are still on the mission to share hope with the hopeless.

“We are feeding as many people as we can,” Hart explained. “We are also giving out the Word and Truth, which is Christ and (sharing) what it looks like to forgive those who persecute you…and we do that through solar Bibles. We are continuing to plant churches, and we are continuing to serve the broken, the poor, the sick, and the needy there.”

Hart implores believers who are watching the persecution at a distance to know “that the only answer we have is Christ,” and to get involved with spreading the love of Jesus. 

“I want to encourage you to pray for peace, to pray for this to stop and secondly, pray for all of our brothers and sisters who are living in the midst of this chaos,” he said. “They are living this daily.”

Bishop Alberto Vera also asked for prayers: “Pray a lot for us, because this is an incomprehensible, intolerable reality.”

“We ask God to help us and grant us peace. We also ask the Mozambican government for the means to fight terrorists not only militarily, but also with dialogue and with international means.”

***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.*** 

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said its blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” but that it would “not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”

One ship that crossed the strait after the blockade began on Monday – the Christianna – had previously been stopped at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data shows.

Another ship, the Ladonna, had been at Bandar Imam Khomeini for a week before turning on its transponder Tuesday and journeying into the Persian Gulf.

The Murlikishan, which is under U.S. sanctions over its connections to Iran, journeyed west through the strait overnight, tracking data shows, along with another tanker, the Peace Gulf, which is not sanctioned by the U.S. but made a port call in Iran in December 2025.

The Rich Starry, a tanker that is sanctioned by the United States under a different name, sailed through the strait overnight Monday, while the Elpis, another sanctioned tanker, sailed through the strait after the blockade began, having apparently come from the Iranian port of Bushehr, according to tracking data.

CBS News cannot confirm that the ships have not been broadcasting false location reports – called spoofing – to conceal their true whereabouts.

#Live #Updates #Iran #war #continues #U.S #blockade #ports #Lebanon #Israel #hold #direct #talksIran">Live Updates: Iran war continues with U.S. blockade of ports; Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks Tracking data appears to show a number of Iran-linked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the hours after the U.S. blockade of the waterway began on Monday.The U.S. military said its blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” but that it would “not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”One ship that crossed the strait after the blockade began on Monday – the Christianna – had previously been stopped at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data shows.Another ship, the Ladonna, had been at Bandar Imam Khomeini for a week before turning on its transponder Tuesday and journeying into the Persian Gulf.The Murlikishan, which is under U.S. sanctions over its connections to Iran, journeyed west through the strait overnight, tracking data shows, along with another tanker, the Peace Gulf, which is not sanctioned by the U.S. but made a port call in Iran in December 2025.The Rich Starry, a tanker that is sanctioned by the United States under a different name, sailed through the strait overnight Monday, while the Elpis, another sanctioned tanker, sailed through the strait after the blockade began, having apparently come from the Iranian port of Bushehr, according to tracking data.CBS News cannot confirm that the ships have not been broadcasting false location reports – called spoofing – to conceal their true whereabouts. #Live #Updates #Iran #war #continues #U.S #blockade #ports #Lebanon #Israel #hold #direct #talksIran

its blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” but that it would “not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”

One ship that crossed the strait after the blockade began on Monday – the Christianna – had previously been stopped at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data shows.

Another ship, the Ladonna, had been at Bandar Imam Khomeini for a week before turning on its transponder Tuesday and journeying into the Persian Gulf.

The Murlikishan, which is under U.S. sanctions over its connections to Iran, journeyed west through the strait overnight, tracking data shows, along with another tanker, the Peace Gulf, which is not sanctioned by the U.S. but made a port call in Iran in December 2025.

The Rich Starry, a tanker that is sanctioned by the United States under a different name, sailed through the strait overnight Monday, while the Elpis, another sanctioned tanker, sailed through the strait after the blockade began, having apparently come from the Iranian port of Bushehr, according to tracking data.

CBS News cannot confirm that the ships have not been broadcasting false location reports – called spoofing – to conceal their true whereabouts.

#Live #Updates #Iran #war #continues #U.S #blockade #ports #Lebanon #Israel #hold #direct #talksIran">Live Updates: Iran war continues with U.S. blockade of ports; Lebanon and Israel hold direct talks

Tracking data appears to show a number of Iran-linked ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in the hours after the U.S. blockade of the waterway began on Monday.

The U.S. military said its blockade would apply to “all maritime traffic entering and exiting Iranian ports,” but that it would “not impede freedom of navigation for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz to and from non-Iranian ports.”

One ship that crossed the strait after the blockade began on Monday – the Christianna – had previously been stopped at the Iranian port of Bandar Imam Khomeini, data shows.

Another ship, the Ladonna, had been at Bandar Imam Khomeini for a week before turning on its transponder Tuesday and journeying into the Persian Gulf.

The Murlikishan, which is under U.S. sanctions over its connections to Iran, journeyed west through the strait overnight, tracking data shows, along with another tanker, the Peace Gulf, which is not sanctioned by the U.S. but made a port call in Iran in December 2025.

The Rich Starry, a tanker that is sanctioned by the United States under a different name, sailed through the strait overnight Monday, while the Elpis, another sanctioned tanker, sailed through the strait after the blockade began, having apparently come from the Iranian port of Bushehr, according to tracking data.

CBS News cannot confirm that the ships have not been broadcasting false location reports – called spoofing – to conceal their true whereabouts.

#Live #Updates #Iran #war #continues #U.S #blockade #ports #Lebanon #Israel #hold #direct #talksIran

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Police in the Bahamas have released without charges a Michigan man who said his wife disappeared after falling overboard from a small boat in waters off the Caribbean island country, authorities said Monday.

Brian Hooker, of Onsted in southern Michigan, had been in police custody since 8 April – five days – after being questioned by authorities.

Law enforcement freed him after consulting prosecutors who recommended against filing charges at this time, with investigations under way.

Brian Hooker told police that Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard the night of 4 April as they were traveling in an 8ft (2.4-meter) motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a group of small islands on the eastern end of the Bahamas. He said Lynette had the boat’s keys, causing the vessel’s engine to shut off and forcing him to paddle ashore.

“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a statement.

After reaching shore, Brian Hooker alerted someone about his wife’s disappearance early the following day, according to authorities.

Hooker has denied any wrongdoing, according to his attorney, Terrel Butler. She did not immediately respond to an email Monday from the Associated Press requesting comment on Brian Hooker’s release.

The US Coast Guard has opened an investigation separate from the one being conducted by authorities in the Bahamas.

The couple has been married for more than 20 years and chronicled their adventures sailing around the Caribbean on their Sailing Hookers Facebook page. They posted videos in 2023 of buying a sailboat they named Soul Mate in the coastal town of Rockport, Texas, and then embarking on a cruise through the Gulf of Mexico from the port town of Kemah, Texas.

The couple’s home in Onsted is about 70 miles (120km) south-west of Detroit.

Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told NBC News that it is unlikely her mother would “just fall” off the boat, saying she was an experienced sailor. She noted the couple had been sailing for years on their voyages.

The couple has had a history of contention, with Brian and Lynette Hooker accusing each other in 2015 of assault, according to a Kentwood, Michigan, police report obtained by NBC.

Brian Hooker, who was intoxicated and bleeding from the nose, told police his wife had struck him multiple times in the face, the report said. He told officers Lynette also was drunk. She was arrested and spent the night in jail. A warrant was denied because it wasn’t clear “who started the assault”.

#Bahamas #police #release #Michigan #man #questioned #wife #disappeared #boat">Bahamas police release Michigan man questioned after wife disappeared from their boatPolice in the Bahamas have released without charges a Michigan man who said his wife disappeared after falling overboard from a small boat in waters off the Caribbean island country, authorities said Monday.Brian Hooker, of Onsted in southern Michigan, had been in police custody since 8 April – five days – after being questioned by authorities.Law enforcement freed him after consulting prosecutors who recommended against filing charges at this time, with investigations under way.Brian Hooker told police that Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard the night of 4 April as they were traveling in an 8ft (2.4-meter) motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a group of small islands on the eastern end of the Bahamas. He said Lynette had the boat’s keys, causing the vessel’s engine to shut off and forcing him to paddle ashore.“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a statement.After reaching shore, Brian Hooker alerted someone about his wife’s disappearance early the following day, according to authorities.Hooker has denied any wrongdoing, according to his attorney, Terrel Butler. She did not immediately respond to an email Monday from the Associated Press requesting comment on Brian Hooker’s release.The US Coast Guard has opened an investigation separate from the one being conducted by authorities in the Bahamas.The couple has been married for more than 20 years and chronicled their adventures sailing around the Caribbean on their Sailing Hookers Facebook page. They posted videos in 2023 of buying a sailboat they named Soul Mate in the coastal town of Rockport, Texas, and then embarking on a cruise through the Gulf of Mexico from the port town of Kemah, Texas.The couple’s home in Onsted is about 70 miles (120km) south-west of Detroit.Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told NBC News that it is unlikely her mother would “just fall” off the boat, saying she was an experienced sailor. She noted the couple had been sailing for years on their voyages.The couple has had a history of contention, with Brian and Lynette Hooker accusing each other in 2015 of assault, according to a Kentwood, Michigan, police report obtained by NBC.Brian Hooker, who was intoxicated and bleeding from the nose, told police his wife had struck him multiple times in the face, the report said. He told officers Lynette also was drunk. She was arrested and spent the night in jail. A warrant was denied because it wasn’t clear “who started the assault”.#Bahamas #police #release #Michigan #man #questioned #wife #disappeared #boat

Bahamas have released without charges a Michigan man who said his wife disappeared after falling overboard from a small boat in waters off the Caribbean island country, authorities said Monday.

Brian Hooker, of Onsted in southern Michigan, had been in police custody since 8 April – five days – after being questioned by authorities.

Law enforcement freed him after consulting prosecutors who recommended against filing charges at this time, with investigations under way.

Brian Hooker told police that Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard the night of 4 April as they were traveling in an 8ft (2.4-meter) motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a group of small islands on the eastern end of the Bahamas. He said Lynette had the boat’s keys, causing the vessel’s engine to shut off and forcing him to paddle ashore.

“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a statement.

After reaching shore, Brian Hooker alerted someone about his wife’s disappearance early the following day, according to authorities.

Hooker has denied any wrongdoing, according to his attorney, Terrel Butler. She did not immediately respond to an email Monday from the Associated Press requesting comment on Brian Hooker’s release.

The US Coast Guard has opened an investigation separate from the one being conducted by authorities in the Bahamas.

The couple has been married for more than 20 years and chronicled their adventures sailing around the Caribbean on their Sailing Hookers Facebook page. They posted videos in 2023 of buying a sailboat they named Soul Mate in the coastal town of Rockport, Texas, and then embarking on a cruise through the Gulf of Mexico from the port town of Kemah, Texas.

The couple’s home in Onsted is about 70 miles (120km) south-west of Detroit.

Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told NBC News that it is unlikely her mother would “just fall” off the boat, saying she was an experienced sailor. She noted the couple had been sailing for years on their voyages.

The couple has had a history of contention, with Brian and Lynette Hooker accusing each other in 2015 of assault, according to a Kentwood, Michigan, police report obtained by NBC.

Brian Hooker, who was intoxicated and bleeding from the nose, told police his wife had struck him multiple times in the face, the report said. He told officers Lynette also was drunk. She was arrested and spent the night in jail. A warrant was denied because it wasn’t clear “who started the assault”.

#Bahamas #police #release #Michigan #man #questioned #wife #disappeared #boat">Bahamas police release Michigan man questioned after wife disappeared from their boat

Police in the Bahamas have released without charges a Michigan man who said his wife disappeared after falling overboard from a small boat in waters off the Caribbean island country, authorities said Monday.

Brian Hooker, of Onsted in southern Michigan, had been in police custody since 8 April – five days – after being questioned by authorities.

Law enforcement freed him after consulting prosecutors who recommended against filing charges at this time, with investigations under way.

Brian Hooker told police that Lynette Hooker, 55, fell overboard the night of 4 April as they were traveling in an 8ft (2.4-meter) motorboat from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, a group of small islands on the eastern end of the Bahamas. He said Lynette had the boat’s keys, causing the vessel’s engine to shut off and forcing him to paddle ashore.

“Strong currents subsequently carried her away, and he lost sight of her,” police said in a statement.

After reaching shore, Brian Hooker alerted someone about his wife’s disappearance early the following day, according to authorities.

Hooker has denied any wrongdoing, according to his attorney, Terrel Butler. She did not immediately respond to an email Monday from the Associated Press requesting comment on Brian Hooker’s release.

The US Coast Guard has opened an investigation separate from the one being conducted by authorities in the Bahamas.

The couple has been married for more than 20 years and chronicled their adventures sailing around the Caribbean on their Sailing Hookers Facebook page. They posted videos in 2023 of buying a sailboat they named Soul Mate in the coastal town of Rockport, Texas, and then embarking on a cruise through the Gulf of Mexico from the port town of Kemah, Texas.

The couple’s home in Onsted is about 70 miles (120km) south-west of Detroit.

Lynette Hooker’s daughter, Karli Aylesworth, told NBC News that it is unlikely her mother would “just fall” off the boat, saying she was an experienced sailor. She noted the couple had been sailing for years on their voyages.

The couple has had a history of contention, with Brian and Lynette Hooker accusing each other in 2015 of assault, according to a Kentwood, Michigan, police report obtained by NBC.

Brian Hooker, who was intoxicated and bleeding from the nose, told police his wife had struck him multiple times in the face, the report said. He told officers Lynette also was drunk. She was arrested and spent the night in jail. A warrant was denied because it wasn’t clear “who started the assault”.

#Bahamas #police #release #Michigan #man #questioned #wife #disappeared #boat

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