American special operations forces are to spend two months training troops in Mozambique to try to prevent the spread of Islamist militant violence in the north of the country.

Insurgents have staged regular attacks in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since 2017, leaving at least 2,500 people dead and half a million displaced.

In response, Mozambique has turned to private military companies but rights groups have accused mercenaries and government forces of abuses, including shooting civilians.

The US embassy said the training programme would prioritise civilian protection, human rights and community involvement to help combat what it called Islamic State in Mozambique.