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

Defence Redefined

Published on 31/03/2021 at 16:00

A squad of the Special Air Service (SAS) has been deployed in Mozambique to locate and rescue a British man who went missing during a recent deadly attack by the Islamic State in the northeastern province of Cabo Delgado.

Last week, terrorists invaded the city of Palma from different directions, including ships. More than 55 members of the Mozambican Armed Forces and local residents were killed. The Islamic State released footage showing its fighters inside the city.

Islamic State terrorists attacked a group of people who left the Amarula Hotel in Palma. A British citizen, Adrian Nel, was killed in an ambush.

Also read: Mozambique | Government forces retake the city of “beheadings” 

The SAS will be looking for the second British man, Phil Mawer, who went missing in the same ambush. The special forces were deployed from a base in Nairobi, Kenya.

Meanwhile, Portugal has announced that it will deploy soldiers in Mozambique in early April to train local troops. The bilateral agreement concerns a total of 60 special forces troops in Mozambique.

The Islamic State attack forced France’s Total to suspend work on the largest natural gas processing and liquefaction complex in South Africa near Palma.

Thousands of people, including foreign experts working for Total, who escaped the attack in Palma arrived on the nearby island of Pemba. Up to 10,000 others are waiting for evacuation. The military company Dyck and GardaWorld assist in evacuating civilians.

The Islamic State attack on Palma is likely to hamper Total’s project for some time. Government troops and their foreign supporters will have to make serious efforts to retake and secure the city.

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

With information from: Neuron Intelligence