Mozambique
BreakingTrending StoryWorld News

ISIS militants seize Mozambique port town after deadly fighting

228

Terrorists with ISIS- affiliated group has occupied a vital port in gas-rich northern Mozambique on Wednesday following days of attacks.

It is the third time militants have seized the port, a logistics link for a $23 billion natural-gas project being developed by French energy firm Total.

“The port of Mocimboa da Praia was captured by the terrorists at dawn,” the Moz24Horas website reported.

The assault is the latest in an intensifying insurgency in the country’s north since 2017 that has killed more than 1,000 people and complicated plans to develop offshore gas reserves.

Mozambique’s defence forces (FDS) confirmed that “terrorists” had launched “sequenced attacks” on several villages surrounding the port over the past week in an attempt to occupy the town.

“At the moment, there are ongoing actions to neutralise the terrorists that are using populations in the affected areas as shields,” the FDS said in a statement.

Mocimboa da Praia lies less than 80 kilometres south of the Afungi peninsula where a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, one of Africa’s biggest single investment projects, is located.

The port is the closest harbour and a gateway for materials and supplies to the gas project where Total is in the preparation stage having recently finalised an initial $15bn of financing.

“The capture of Mocimboa da Praia, as well as the previous assaults on district capitals since March, shows that the capabilities of ISIS militants has improved,” Tristan Gueret, an analyst at Risk Advisory Group in London, said.

Gas projects in the country’s northern Cabo Delgado province are central to plans to transform the impoverished south-east African nation. Projected revenue from the developments are estimated at more than three times its current gross domestic product.

Even with the help of private military contractors flying helicopters armed with machine guns, the Mozambican government has struggled to curb the insurgency, which has grown increasingly brazen in its attacks this year.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Fatal Islington sword attack: London teenager Tate bags 22 years

A teenager, Sanchez Tate, 18, has been sentenced to 22 years in...

Just in: ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, others

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister...

Just in: South Africa takes over G20 Presidency from Brazil, first African nation to lead the bloc

South Africa has taken over the presidency of the G20 from Brazil,...

Russian Pres. Putin signs decree for nuclear retaliation against non-nuclear states

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree allowing Moscow to...

First Bank changes its name to First Holdco Plc, brand name to FirstHoldco

First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) Holdings Plc is to change its name...

India PM arrives in Nigeria, first by an Indian leader since 2007

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the Prime Minister of India, Narendra...

Just in: Southwest plane with 99 passengers on board struck by gunfire in US

A Southwest Airlines plane was reportedly struck by gunfire at Dallas Love...

Tragedy strikes in China’s Zhuhai city, 35 killed, 40 injured in deadly car attack

A devastating car attack in southern China’s Zhuhai city has left 35...

Tinubu, Abiodun, Sanwo-Olu, others extol Pastor Tunde Bakare at 70

Pastor Tunde Bakare, the founder of Citadel Global Community Church, is a...

Tragedy as 46-year-old man kills 4 family members, takes own life after Trump’s victory

A 46-year-old United States man, Anthony Nephew, has shot fatally himself, his...

Number of Nigerian Cybercriminals jailed in US surges, some bag lengthy sentences

The number of Nigerian cybercriminals who have been imprisoned in the United...

Canada shuts down Chinese-owned TikTok business operation, cites national security

The Canadian government has shut down the operations of the Chinese-owned TikTok...

Ex-US Pres. Obama congratulates Trump on presidential victory

In a bid to further strengthen democracy, former President of the United...

Updated: Donald Trump beats Kamala Harris in a crucial presidential race

Donald Trump, a Republican, has secured a remarkable victory in the US...

US poll: Harris postpones election night’s address till Thursday

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign has announced that she won’t be addressing...

Just in: Trump wins US presidential election

Donald Trump has won the US presidential election, US media announced on...

US election: Pres. Tinubu congratulates Trump

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to President Donald Trump...

Trump, Harris secure their first statewide victories as polls close

Republican Donald Trump won eight states in Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election while...

Election Day Showdown: Harris and Trump Hold Duelling Rallies as Polls Reach Dead Heat

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump held rival rallies on Monday, the final...

Equatorial Guinea government official embroiled in sextape scandal

Mr. Baltasar Engonga, Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF)...