Iran Press/Africa: Terrorists hit the town, adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, with a three-pronged attack on Wednesday. A security source directly involved in efforts to secure the town said fighting was ongoing on Monday.
The government said on Sunday that Palma was not controlled by the terrorists and it was working to secure the area. It confirmed that dozens of people had died, including seven when their convoy of cars was ambushed during an escape attempt.
ISIS claimed the attack via its Amaq news agency, saying its fighters had taken control of the town after days of clashes with security forces.
They had killed at least 55 people including several soldiers, destroyed and taken control of buildings including factories and banks, and seized vehicles, it said.
Officials at Mozambique’s defense ministry and its national police could not be reached by phone on Monday and did not immediately reply to messages.
The country’s northernmost province of Cabo Delgado, where Palma is located, has been home since 2017 to a simmering insurgency linked to ISIS.
Initially known mainly for crude beheadings, insurgents last year began regularly beating back the army to take over entire towns.
Palma, a logistical hub, is near gas developments run by oil majors such as Total.
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