The Angolan military rarely deploys abroad, but when it does it's for serious business and often not announced. A sighting of Angolan troops reported in northern Mozambique, presumably to help fight the Islamic State affiliates. (1/x) https://twitter.com/JVDW19/status/1253756098114392066

The Armed Forces of Angola (FAA) has one of the biggest air forces in sub-Saharan Africa. According to @IISS_org, its Russian-origin platforms include six Su-27 fighters and four mighty Il-76 transport planes. (2/x)

On paper the FAA has 100,000 troops. This includes personnel from UNITA forces that were integrated into the national FAPLA army at the end of Angola's civil war. The last major combat deployments abroad were to Dem Rep of the Congo and Rep of Congo in the 1990s. (3/x)

Unlike most other African militaries, Angola has largely eschewed participation in UN peacekeeping missions. (4/x)

So how will the FAA fare in Mozambique? It's an open question. (5/x)