Mozambique: Shebab jihadists seize the strategic port of Mocimboa da Praia

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This is a new advance by the group of Shebabs, affiliated with the Islamic State, in the province of Cabo Delgado, in the north of the country. A symbolic and very strategic outlet, close to very important natural gas sites.

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The fight between the jihadists and the Mozambican special forces lasted several days before the insurgents took the advantage. The port of Mocimboa da Praia finally fell into rebel hands on Wednesday at dawn. According to local media, the military ran out of ammunition to keep them at bay and the gunships were too far away to arrive on time.

This is the fourth time since 2017 and the start of the insurgency that the group of Shebabs have attempted to seize Mocimboa da Praia. For Eric Morier-Genoud, researcher on Mozambique at the University of Belfast, this attack is a greater victory than the others for the jihadists, because security had been reinforced by special troops. And a few days ago, the insurgents affirmed their intentions to settle, this time permanently, in the city to make it their capital.

Mocimboa da Praia, the home town of a large part of the rebel leaders, is also a very strategic area for the jihadists, just sixty kilometers from natural gas sites estimated to be worth $ 60 billion.

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• Mozambique
• Shebabs