Palma: Attacks fade and ambushes by the military continue – Pinnacle News report

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Palma: Attacks fade and ambushes by the military continue – Pinnacle News report

5:30 CAT | 25 Mar 2021

Image: Google Maps

March 25, 2021

At around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, residents of the District of Palma was running from one side to another, scattered in confusion, finally gathering near the beach area. They took with them, by instinct, essential groceries – bundles containing food, blankets, pots and pans and, above all, money.

Hours later, in the headquarters town, two outbreaks of gunfire were heard. Shots lasted approximately two hours, and ended with the attackers hidden in deserted houses.

The Palma military did not immediately move to counterattack, but another contingent, coming from other locations, was urgently sent to Palma, and established several blockades throughout the early evening.

It is estimated that there are about 100 insurgents divided between both ends of the town. It is suspected that they plan to escape through the forests of Phundanhar.

Parallel to this action, there was aerial intervention by the government’s military [forces], with at least five helicopters sighted, flying overhead. They were unable to identify targets, mixed in with the general population.

The streets housing the town’s banks were the epicentre of the first exchange of artillery fire.

Assessments of damage and physical losses are premature .

The attacks come at a time when life in Palma was rising again, with the appearance in the previous hours of yet another huge boat carrying nine 10-ton vehicles full of food for resale. These vehicles, borne by a Total vessel, had one only destination and purpose: to feed Palma.

Gas stations were also recently restocked.

Easy to see this as a response to Total’s announced resumption of work on Afungi, but, given the insurgents’ supply problems, it’s likely more closely related to the recent return of food aid to Palma. https://t.co/QIcndPtmQ9

— Sam Ratner (@samratner) March 24, 2021

Nearby forests and machambas also served as a refuge for the population on the first night of this latest round of ‘Blind Man’s Bluff’.

There is still no access to telephone communication from Palma town.

Ambushes were set up by FADM military personnel.

It is believed that this group of men is made up of attackers who have banded together, and that it is the only one operating in Cabo Delgado. It is also believed that some of the attackers (in this group) are experienced fighters, having taken part in the very first attacks in the province.

Watch below the Ministry of Defence communication on Thursday (March 25) morning.

“On March 24, 2021, at approximately 4:15 pm, terrorists attacked Vila de Palma in three directions (…) forcing the residents to leave the village and take refuge in the forest. So far there is no information on human victims and damage caused” the Ministry of Defense spox said

— Borges Nhamirre (@BorgesNhamirre) March 25, 2021

Expats left in Palma after 16:00 will be at their own risk. Major offensive seems to be in the making.
Vessel will be used for evacuation to Pemba.

— Jasmine Opperman (@Jasminechic00) March 25, 2021

ISCAP attacks against Palma came mainly from a Tanzanian based group striking from Pundanhar/Manguna, Vila Chica de Rovuma and north of the main commercial airport (500 m north of the Amarula Hotel). Three groups of around 90 men total. Chased from the Palma town, combats ongoing pic.twitter.com/m9p40jhG11

— Nuno Rogeiro @nrogeiro (also in Facebook) (@nrogeiro) March 25, 2021

Cabo Delgado – Palma: Ataques abrandam e emboscadas continuam

25-03-2021

Por volta das 16h00 horas de Maputo, a População do Distrito de Palma corria de um lado para o outro e de preferência, aglomeraram-se junto à zona da praia. Levavam consigo, por instinto, o essencial para mantimentos, em trouxas (comida pronto consumo, cobertores, panelas e dinheiro), sobretudo.

Horas depois, na vila Sede ouviram-se-se dois focos de tiroteios que duraram aproximadamente duas horas de tempo e sessou quando os atacantes se esconderam em casas desertas.

Os militares de Palma não se movimentaram para contra-atacar mas sim, um outro contingente militar, vindo de outros locais, foi urgentemente enviado à Palma e fez vários bloqueios ao longo do princípio da noite.

Estimam-se que haja uma média de 100 homens da rede dos insurgentes nos dois extremos e suspeita-se que tenham planos de fuga pelas matas de Phundanhar. Paralelamente a está acção, houve intervenção aérea por parte dos militares do Governo e contaram-se pelo menos 5 helicópteros que sobrevoaram, sem alvo na mira pois, a população se misturava com possíveis incendiários.

Às ruas aonde funcionam as filiais bancárias foram o epicentro de troca de primeiros tiros com o recurso a armas de fogo de artilharia terrestre e ainda é prematuro avaliar danos e perdas físicas quer por parte dos beligerantes quiça, por parte da própria população.

Estes ataques acontecem numa altura em que Palma se reerguia nas últimas horas, com a aparição de mais um enorme barco que carregava 9 viaturas de 10 toneladas cada, contendo comida para a revenda. Foram viaturas embutidas numa embarcação da Total e que tinha o único destino e objectivo: alimentar Palma.

De igual, as bombas de combustível, receberam-nos, recentemente.

Às matas e machambas de Palma, serviram também de refúgio da População, nesta primeira noite de “cabra-cegas”.

As comunicações via telefone, continuam inacessíveis à partir de Palma Sede.

As emboscadas foram montadas por parte de militares das FADM e acredita-se que este grupo tenha se juntado e seja o único que circula em Cabo Delgado, alguns dos quais, são experientes pois, fizeram parte dos primeiríssimos ataques a esta Província.

Source: Pinnacle News / Video: STV