- Insurgents attacked Filipe Nyusi neighbourhood, in the southern part of the town, without an immediate response from government forces
- District Administrator confirms the attack and says the Defence and Security Forces are pursuing the attackers
By MOZTIMES
Pemba (MOZTIMES) – Insurgents attacked the district capital of Mocímboa da Praia, in Cabo Delgado, on Sunday night (7), killing at least six people in the Filipe Nyusi neighbourhood, in the southern part of the district, several local sources confirmed.
It is the first time insurgents have struck a neighbourhood of Mocímboa da Praia town since they were expelled in August 2021, following the intervention of the Defence and Security Forces. The attack represents a serious threat to the stability of the region, where major gas exploration projects are located.
A military source told MOZTIMES that “the enemy is at our doorstep” and added that the prompt intervention of the Defence and Security Forces prevented the insurgents from entering the town centre.
According to residents, the insurgents’ action began around 11 p.m. and continued until midnight, already into the early hours of Monday (8).
“There were two bursts of intense gunfire. At this moment (1 a.m.), things are calmer, but earlier, everyone had fled their homes. Some are hiding in the bush,” another resident said.
“We were sleeping when the child woke us up, saying there was war. We heard heavy gunfire, and that’s why we are outside,” reported a resident of the Nanduadua neighbourhood.
The same source said that, on Saturday, insurgents clashed with members of the Local Force militia in the lower area of the Diaca administrative post. During the exchange of fire, in which they also suffered casualties, the insurgents killed a member of the Local Force.
The Administrator of Mocímboa da Praia, Sérgio Cipriano, confirmed to the local press the insurgent attack on the Filipe Nyusi neighbourhood and added that the Defence and Security Forces are pursuing the attackers.
Mocímboa da Praia has previously been attacked and temporarily occupied by insurgents on four occasions. The first was in October 2017, marking the outbreak of the conflict that has now lasted eight years. Insurgents returned to seize the town in March, June and August 2020. In their last occupation, they remained for about a year before being expelled in August 2021 by Rwandan troops. Since then, the town has been considered relatively secure, guarded by large Mozambican and Rwandan military contingents.
However, the southern zone of Mocímboa da Praia district remains vulnerable to insurgent movements. It serves as a strategic base for launching incursions both southward and northward, particularly towards the islands at the mouth of the Messalo River.
Last week, residents reported insurgent movements in an area between Oasse locality and Mocímboa da Praia, as well as recent attacks in villages in Palma district, which borders Mocímboa da Praia. (MT)
