- Reports also indicate an increase in terrorist activities around the Mocímboa da Praia district capital
By MOZTIMES
Pemba (MOZTIMES) – A group of Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked, on Sunday, a military-escorted vehicle convoy on National Road Number 380 (N380), along the Macomia–Oasse stretch, in Cabo Delgado province, causing human and material losses.
The attack took place around midday near the village of V Congresso, in Chai Administrative Post, Macomia district. The convoy had departed from the town of Macomia heading towards the locality of Oasse.
According to military sources, several vehicles were hit, including a lorry, a passenger minibus, and several private vehicles. An undetermined number of people were injured and possibly killed. Some of the vehicles continued their journey, while the lorry remained immobilised.
Military sources said the insurgents, in large numbers, began looting food supplies immediately after attacking the lorry. The driver is believed to be among those killed.
In Macomia, sources confirmed that an armoured vehicle from the Mozambique Armed Forces (FADM) was dispatched to the scene. However, due to the distance, reinforcements reportedly arrived after the insurgents had already withdrawn.
The last time insurgents attacked vehicles along the N380 was in December last year, which led to the suspension of road traffic for several days.
Increase in terrorist activities in Mocímboa da Praia
Meanwhile, insurgents have been stepping up their activities in Mocímboa da Praia district.
On Saturday morning (21 February), there was an exchange of fire between a group of insurgents and government forces in the coastal village of Ulo, south of Mocímboa da Praia town. According to local sources, the insurgents had entered the village on Friday night to force residents to sell them food.
On 19 February, insurgents were spotted near Mocímboa da Praia town, in the Nambubussi neighbourhood. That same night, they bought rice but, on their way back to their hideouts, their boat ran aground in the Livula area. Local fishermen were kidnapped and forced to help pull the vessel into navigable waters. By the following morning, many of the fishermen had still not returned.
Earlier, on 13 February, another group of insurgents carried out an incursion into he village of Maculo, north of Mocímboa da Praia town. According to local sources, the insurgents entered the coastal village at night without committing acts of extreme violence.
“They arrived by boat and forced local traders to sell them food supplies. While some were making forced purchases, others looted food from other houses in the same village,” a local source said.
On the same night, the same group unsuccessfully attempted to pass through Quifuque Island. Due to the presence of the defence and security forces on the island, the mission was aborted. (MT)
