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In Mozambique, Palma, a small port city in Cabo Delgado, the victim of a coordinated attack by a jihadist group active in the province for more than three years. The group, which calls itself local Al-Shabab, launched its attack on Wednesday and took control of the city on Friday night. The number of accidents among the inhabitants is uncertain. Since Wednesday, there are thousands fleeing the area where the fighting is said to be taking place.
According to local sources provided by two researchers, the Mozambican army is regaining control house by house. The jihadist group would have withdrawn, leaving some men to delay the soldiers’ progress.
Seven official deaths
The only official assessment at the moment, given on Sunday night by Omar Saranga, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense: “Defense and security forces regret to announce that seven people died among a group of citizens who tried to escape from the Amarula hotel. Their vehicles were transferred by terrorists. We are currently conducting operations to overcome certain threat beds for terrorist resistance. Our strengths show courage and firmness. ”
Seven deaths only official, statement not synchronized with testimonies from survivors. But communication is almost impossible. And many have no news from their loved ones.
This is the case with this witness who fled to Pemba, the regional capital: “I am looking for my son. Please help me find my son. I’m looking for help, access to means of communication. Whether we can post this on Facebook or elsewhere. Who knows where my son is? ”
A message to the authorities
Another survivor, a Portuguese, arrived in Maputo, talking about a trauma, of a nightmare lived in Palma. He said on Sunday that he also had no news from his relatives. We must therefore still wait to find out the extent of the violence.
The Al-Shabab group carried out an attack on Mocimboa Da Praia, an even larger city, in August last year. But since the beginning of the year, the group has been less active. According to Mozambican researcher Sergio Chichava, it was in crisis. And for him, the goal of this attack was to send a very clear message: “We are still here”. A message aimed at the Mozambican authorities, but also at foreign investors such as Total and also at other jihadist groups outside Mozambique for support.
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