Mozambique | Army recaptures Palma from jihadists – VIDEO

Defence Redefined

06/04/2021

Yesterday, April 5, the Mozambican armed forces said they had regained control of the city of Palma from the rebels of the extremist jihadist organization Al Shabaab, a subsidiary organisation of the Islamic State.

A “significant” number of fighters were killed in the counterattack, said Mozambican army spokesman Major Chongo Vidigal. He also said that the gas plants are now safe and Palma is free.

“The area of ​​the airport was the only one we had to clear and we did it (on Sunday). “It’s absolutely safe,” Vidigal told AFP.

Dozens of civilians were killed and at least 11,000 were displaced after the terrorist invasion of Palma on March 24. The city’s hospital, commercial banks  and town hall were destroyed by jihadists.

Also read: Mozambique | British Special Forces and Portuguese troops rush to help – VIDEO

Cabo Delgado Governor Valgy Tauabo visited Palma and promised to help people rebuild their lives. “We are now moving on to the next stage, it is as crucial as the reconstruction of the city, where we will welcome the displaced communities,” Vidigal said.

Attacks like these in Palma “are clear indications that the Islamic State continues to actively seek to spread its malicious activity on new fronts,” said John Godfrey, the US envoy to fight Islamic State, who officially considers the rebels of Cabo De Greco as “IS-Mozambique”.

Mozambican forces say they have taken control of the city, but last week, when the army took reporters to Palma to show the government was in control, they came under guerrilla fire.

Therefore, this recurrence could be short-lived and a new attack could occur again.

Also read: Mozambique | Islamic State takes over Palma – Thousands missing, displaced and dead – VIDEO

With information from: AFP / Southfront.org