Islamic State carries out one of the deadliest attacks in gas-rich area of Mozambique
NEW DELHI: Islamic State-linked insurgents carried out an attack on the town of Macomia in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique, marking their most audacious target in over three years.
The government reported that its military forces successfully fought off the attack within a span of 45 minutes.
The violence is the most recent in a series of attacks that have occurred since December. This indicates a rise in turmoil at the same time as the Mozambican government is advocating for TotalEnergies SE to continue the construction of a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project. The project was halted in 2021 when rebels attacked the town of Palma, resulting in the deaths of over 800 individuals.
According to two individuals familiar with the situation, the rebels launched an attack on Macomia from two directions early in the morning, requesting anonymity as they are not permitted to talk to the press. The Portuguese news agency Lusa stated that over 100 fighters took part in the assault, without revealing their sources.
As per a statement released on Friday night, the Mozambican government troops apprehended one of the assailants who subsequently passed away while in custody, and also wounded a leader who managed to flee.
Macomia, which is approximately 100 miles to the south of TotalEnergies’ planned gas-export facility location, is strategically positioned along the main highway that connects the provincial capital of Pemba with the north. Additionally, hundreds of soldiers from South Africa have been stationed in Macomia since their deployment to assist Mozambique in combating the insurgency in 2021, forming a significant part of a regional deployment.
The South African National Defence Force is planning to remove its soldiers from Mozambique by July 15, as stated by the regional bloc to which it belongs.
Rwanda also dispatched over 2,000 soldiers and police to Mozambique as per a distinct bilateral agreement, and they will stay to support the government, as stated by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.
(With inputs from Bloomberg)
The government reported that its military forces successfully fought off the attack within a span of 45 minutes.
The violence is the most recent in a series of attacks that have occurred since December. This indicates a rise in turmoil at the same time as the Mozambican government is advocating for TotalEnergies SE to continue the construction of a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project. The project was halted in 2021 when rebels attacked the town of Palma, resulting in the deaths of over 800 individuals.
According to two individuals familiar with the situation, the rebels launched an attack on Macomia from two directions early in the morning, requesting anonymity as they are not permitted to talk to the press. The Portuguese news agency Lusa stated that over 100 fighters took part in the assault, without revealing their sources.
As per a statement released on Friday night, the Mozambican government troops apprehended one of the assailants who subsequently passed away while in custody, and also wounded a leader who managed to flee.
Macomia, which is approximately 100 miles to the south of TotalEnergies’ planned gas-export facility location, is strategically positioned along the main highway that connects the provincial capital of Pemba with the north. Additionally, hundreds of soldiers from South Africa have been stationed in Macomia since their deployment to assist Mozambique in combating the insurgency in 2021, forming a significant part of a regional deployment.
The South African National Defence Force is planning to remove its soldiers from Mozambique by July 15, as stated by the regional bloc to which it belongs.
Rwanda also dispatched over 2,000 soldiers and police to Mozambique as per a distinct bilateral agreement, and they will stay to support the government, as stated by Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.
(With inputs from Bloomberg)
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