Mozambique: Insurgents attack Mocímboa da Praia – O País

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Mozambique: Insurgents attack Mocímboa da Praia – O País

12:14 CAT | 23 Mar 2020

File photo: O País

According to police, in the early hours of today, Monday, a group of insurgents assaulted the village of Mocímboa da Praia, in Cabo Delgado, and hoisted their flag, ‘O País’ reports.

The attack began after 4:00 a.m. and persisted until sunrise. At the time of publication of this article at 8:00 a.m., Defence and Security Forces were still fighting the insurgents.

Spokesman for the General Command of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) Orlando Mudumane told reporters that “today, at 4:30 a.m., criminals attacked the headquarters village of Mocímboa da Praia. They attacked the barracks of the Defence and Security Forces and hoisted their flag in the village”.

According to witnesses, the attack started in the Pamunda neighbourhood and spread from there, practically surrounding the village.

Orlando Modumane said that the insurgents had set up barricades at the main entrances to the village. “Right now, they (the insurgents) are in a firefight with the Defence and Security Forces seeking to retake Mocímboa da Praía,” he said.

“I heard the first shots when I was preparing to go to the mosque and there was no time to take refuge in the woods. So far, my family and I are shut up inside the house,” one village resident confirmed.

Other sources told ‘O País’ that some of the insurgents invaded by sea and occupied the neighbourhood of Milamba, where they circulated with what were thought to be group flags.

“They arrived at dawn” by boat “and started shooting. Afterwards, they passed by my house wielding black flags written in Arabic, heading towards the centre of the village,” one citizen revealed, describing the situation as “critical”.

There is still no detailed information about the attack, but ‘O País’ established that the Defence and Security Forces were still fighting the insurgents on the ground, although some had fled using the boats that originally transported them to Mocímboa da Praia.

The armed attacks in Cabo Delgado began in the village of Mocímboa da Praia on 5 October, 2017.

By Hizidine Achá

Source: O País