Operation Leopard (1980)
Operation Leopard | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part of the Mozambican Civil War | |||||||
| |||||||
Belligerents | |||||||
People's Republic of Mozambique Zimbabwe Cuba[1] Supported by: Soviet Union[1] |
RENAMO Supported by: South Africa[2] | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Samora Machel Robert Mugabe |
Afonso Dhlakama Mário Franque Languane Vareia Manje | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Zimbabwe Defence Force | Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Unknown | 800-1200 men[4] | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Per RENAMO: |
Per FRELIMO: 272 killed 300 captured[7] Per RENAMO: 4 killed |
In the Mozambican Civil War, Operation Leopard (Portuguese: Operação Leopardo) was a military operation by the FPLM in southern Manica Province which culminated in the capture of RENAMO’s stronghold in the Sitatonga 2 Mountain. Following the offensive FPLM was unable to maintain their full control over the area captured and RENAMO continued to remain active around Sitatonga 2.
Prelude
In November 1979,
Following RENAMO’s defeat in the Gorongosa area after FRELIMO’s
Battle
Planning
The planning for Operation Leopard was aided by
The operational area spanned from the
Execution
FPLM launched the offensive with their forces quickly closing in on RENAMO positions. RENAMO forces couldn't directly face the oncoming offensive and opted to retreat towards the main base while ambushing the road bound troops. However, it didn't take long for the FPLM to close in on RENAMO who were positioned on top of the Sitatonga 2 Mountain.[3] On the 25 June FPLM attacked RENAMO’s northern position however the terrain hindered the assault. They then moved towards attacking RENAMO’s southern flank aided by MiG-17 fighter-bombers and artillery. On the 30 June FPLM unleashed a final assault beginning with the heavy use of artillery and air bombardment.[13] The assault was launched from the north bank of the Buzi River at Chibabava with forces also mounting ambushes on both banks of the Buzi River in anticipation of fleeing guerrillas.[6] Due to the steep slopes of the Sitatonga 2 mountain the FPLM had to transport troops up the mountain via helicopter.[13] RENAMO desperately attempted to halt the advance firing their only B-10 recoilless rifle from the top of the mountain. Fighting occurred until late at night before the guerrillas eventually evacuated the base at 10pm.[6]
Fleeing RENAMO forces travelled north towards the Lucite River where forces under the command of Languane Vareia Manje were sent to assist them. To aid the escaping guerrillas RENAMO reinforcements at Chidoco under the command of Mario Franque were sent to ambush FPLM troops around Sitatonga with skirmishes occurring several days after the fall of the base. RENAMO claimed that most of the FPLM’s casualties occurred during these ambushes by Vareia and Franque forces.[6] South African helicopters were also spotted evacuating some RENAMO survivors.[14]
Aftermath
The operation was a success for the Mozambican Government further putting RENAMO on the back foot. The rebels also lost a significant amount of weapons and ammunition, much of which was supplied by South Africa. However, it failed to fully rid Mozambique of RENAMO influence with guerrillas merely fleeing to other areas. Guerrillas who escaped to the Lucite River to meet up with forces under the command of Languane Vareia regrouped in Mabate[6] while the rest of the troops under Dhlakama’s command set up the new headquarters near the Zimbabwe border in Chicarre.[15] Additionally, RENAMO activity would continue to be reported around Sitatonga following the operation highlighting the FPLM’s failure to fully control the area.[16]
References
- ^ a b c d Cabrita (2000), p. 173.
- ^ "Mozambique Battles Mercenaries" (PDF). Mozambique Information Agency. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b Emerson (2014), p. 81.
- ^ Emerson (2014), p. 77.
- ^ "Mozambique Dissidents' Military Communiqué" (PDF). Summary of World Broadcasts. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Cabrita (2000), p. 174.
- ^ "Machel Forces kill 272 rebels" (PDF). Cape Times. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
- ^ Robinson (2006), p. 118.
- ^ Cabrita (2000), p. 157.
- ^ "Rebels in limbo" (PDF). Retrieved 2 March 2023.
- ^ Emerson (2014), p. 76.
- ^ a b c Emerson (2014), p. 78.
- ^ a b Robinson (2006), p. 123.
- ^ Robinson (2006), p. 124.
- ^ Robinson (2006), p. 125.
- ^ Cabrita (2000), p. 175.
Bibliography
- Emerson, Stephen A. (2014). The Battle for Mozambique: The Frelimo–Renamo Struggle, 1977–1992. ISBN 978-1-909384-92-7.
- Cabrita, João M. (2000). Mozambique: The Tortuous Road to Democracy. London: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-349-42432-0.
- Robinson, David A. (2006). Curse on the Land: A History of the Mozambican Civil War (PDF). Perth.
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