Insurgency ports
The statement had two other interesting points. “The Defence and Security Forces are trying to control the situation, but it is still tense and fluid.” Live transmission on TVM below: The written press statement Neto read out was more cautious. Although “there still exist places where bandits are still hiding” In answer to a question, Neto said defence forces control Mocimboa and “at this time, the terrorists control nothing”. (Zitamar 11 Aug) Zitamar also notes that DAG tried to deliver ammunition to the navy, but they dropped it so far from the fighting that a number of navy personnel were killed in efforts to retrieve it.įinally, Defence Minister Jaime Neto held a televised press conference yesterday afternoon (Thursday 13 Aug) to confirm the attack. Although the town was controlled the navy successfully defended that port until Tuesday when they ran out of ammunition and could not keep the insurgents at bay. Power and communications was cut early, although Vodacom held out until Monday (10 Aug). Helicopters from Dyck Advisory Services (DAG) provided some air support to government troops, but it was lmited because they are still based in Pemba which means they have only 15 minutes over Mocimboa before having to return to Pemba to refuel, Zitamar (11 Aug) reports. Insurgents use Islamic State to release claims, and it said on 7 August that insurgents had overrun two military bases and killed or injured 50 soldiers. On 6 August said defence forces had repelled the attack. Both sides in the civil war are using anonymous websites to broadcast their claims. Insurgents began to move into outer villages and the suburbs a week ago (5 Aug) and there was some heavy fighting. Since the 27 June – 1 July third insurgent occupation, the centre of Mocimboa has been abandoned and empty. Only a circuitous and difficult route via Montepuez, Mueda and Nangade is open. The only main road from Pemba north to Palma is the N380 through Macomia and Mocimboa, which has been closed by repeated attacks. A key link to the Palma gas site, the port was recently rehabilitated and a new coastal shipping route opened.Ĭoastal shipping from Nacala and Pemba north to Mocimboa and Palma has only just started as the alternative to roads. After several weeks of preparation and heavy fighting, insurgents Tuesday (11 Aug) re-captured not just the town of Mocimboa da Praia, but also the port.