Twice a week, dozens of Mozambican children gather under the shade of a mango tree for what looks at first glance like a community play date. But they are not there for fun, rather for solace and healing after witnessing shocking atrocities committed by jihadists in the north of the country over the past three years.

Sketching out trauma: art, puppets heal children of Mozambique conflict

South Africa will press for urgent military action by regional body SADC to quell an Islamist insurgency in&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;threatening to destabilize neighbouring countries, the foreign minister said on Friday.

It will make this call at a summit of the Southern African Development Community's 16 member states next week, Naledi Pandor told Reuters in a telephone interview.

SADC leaders have been discussing how to tackle the insurgency by Islamic State-linked militants, with an option for force, but this is the first time South Africa has explicitly thrown its weight behind the idea of military intervention.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/total-halts-mozambique-gas-project-after-attacks-380588">Total halts Mozambique gas project after attacks</a>&nbsp;

Since 2008, SADC has had provision for a standby brigade, part of a regional defence pact that allows military intervention to prevent the spread of conflict.

"We support the use of the defence pact. It's never been really been utilised in the region, but we believe this is the time, this is a threat to the region," Pandor told Reuters.

A spokesman for the&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;government could not immediately be reached for comment.&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;has been hesitant about foreign involvement in the past, but last month President Filipe Nyusi said his country needed help from outside powers, so long as they did not replace Mozambican forces.

Thousands Misplaced

Mozambique, which borders South Africa to the south, has struggled to contain the violence in its northern-most province of Cabo Delgado. Some 52,000 people were displaced in the latest bout in Palma district from March.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sadc-vows-proportionate-response-to-mozambiques-jihadists-376468">SADC vows 'proportionate' response to Mozambique's jihadists</a>

The World Health Organisation said on Friday that more than 1.2 million people need urgent health assistance in Cabo Delgado, after recurrent attacks started in 2017.

Analysts suggest the insurgency has its roots in poverty and unemployment afflicting&nbsp;Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries, making recruitment easier among communities not benefiting from new mining or petroleum projects.

The militants have stepped up violence in the past year with more sophisticated attacks, delaying construction of a new $20 billion liquefied natural gas project run by French oil major, Total that declared force majeure on the new build.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-total-shuts-gas-plant-after-mozambique-attacks-sources-say-375119">France's Total shuts gas plant after Mozambique attacks, sources say</a>

"It is the SADC standby force that we want to come into play," the minister said, adding that they would want all members states to contribute troops to avoid a similar situation that occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where only a few countries, including South Africa, sent soldiers.

Speaking ahead of the summit provisionally set for May 25-28 in Botswana's capital Gabarone, Pandor said SADC must lead the process and will determine the nature and conditions of support from external sources, such as the European Union or&nbsp;Mozambique's former colonial ruler Portugal.

"We have had our colleagues, for example in Nigeria, saying: 'don't allow this to get out of hand because once it does it is uncontrollable and very difficult to reverse'. So, that is why we believe it is urgently necessary that we have action," Pandor said.

South Africa will press for urgent military action by regional body SADC to quell an Islamist insurgency in Mozambique threatening to destabilize neighbouring countries, the foreign minister said on Friday.

South Africa will press for urgent military action by regional body SADC to quell an Islamist insurgency in Mozambique threatening to destabilize neighbouring countries, the foreign minister said on Friday. It will make this call at a summit of the Southern African Development Community's 16 member states next week, Naledi Pandor told Reuters in a telephone interview. SADC leaders have been discussing how to tackle the insurgency by Islamic State-linked militants, with an option for force, but this is the first time South Africa has explicitly thrown its weight behind the idea of military intervention. Also Read | Total halts Mozambique gas project after attacks Since 2008, SADC has had provision for a standby brigade, part of a regional defence pact that allows military intervention to prevent the spread of conflict. "We support the use of the defence pact. It's never been really been utilised in the region, but we believe this is the time, this is a threat to the region," Pandor told Reuters. A spokesman for the Mozambique government could not immediately be reached for comment. Mozambique has been hesitant about foreign involvement in the past, but last month President Filipe Nyusi said his country needed help from outside powers, so long as they did not replace Mozambican forces. Thousands Misplaced Mozambique, which borders South Africa to the south, has struggled to contain the violence in its northern-most province of Cabo Delgado. Some 52,000 people were displaced in the latest bout in Palma district from March. Also Read | SADC vows 'proportionate' response to Mozambique's jihadists The World Health Organisation said on Friday that more than 1.2 million people need urgent health assistance in Cabo Delgado, after recurrent attacks started in 2017. Analysts suggest the insurgency has its roots in poverty and unemployment afflicting Mozambique, one of the world's poorest countries, making recruitment easier among communities not benefiting from new mining or petroleum projects. The militants have stepped up violence in the past year with more sophisticated attacks, delaying construction of a new $20 billion liquefied natural gas project run by French oil major, Total that declared force majeure on the new build. Also Read | France's Total shuts gas plant after Mozambique attacks, sources say "It is the SADC standby force that we want to come into play," the minister said, adding that they would want all members states to contribute troops to avoid a similar situation that occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where only a few countries, including South Africa, sent soldiers. Speaking ahead of the summit provisionally set for May 25-28 in Botswana's capital Gabarone, Pandor said SADC must lead the process and will determine the nature and conditions of support from external sources, such as the European Union or Mozambique's former colonial ruler Portugal. "We have had our colleagues, for example in Nigeria, saying: 'don't allow this to get out of hand because once it does it is uncontrollable and very difficult to reverse'. So, that is why we believe it is urgently necessary that we have action," Pandor said.

South Africa to push for military action against Mozambique insurgents

French energy giant Total on Monday confirmed it is suspending work on a massive $20 billion gas project in northern Mozambique following the latest jihadist assault on a nearby town last month.&nbsp;

Total removed its remaining staff from the Afungi peninsula natural gas site after a jihadist raid in the nearby town of Palma on March 24 left dozens of people dead.&nbsp;

It had already evacuated some workers and suspended construction in January following a series of jihadist attacks nearby..&nbsp;

"In the current environment, Total can no longer operate in the Cabo Delgado province in a safe and efficient manner," a Total spokeswoman told AFP.&nbsp;

"All project personnel have been removed from the site and will not return until conditions allow," the spokeswoman added, saying "it is too early to provide an updated project schedule".&nbsp;

Total also said on Monday that it was declaring a "force majeure" situation beyond its control, a legal concept meaning it can suspend fulfilling contractual obligations.&nbsp;

The declaration "will remain in effect until the Government of Mozambique has restored security and stability in the province... in a verifiable and sustainable manner," the company added -- although it "remains committed to Mozambique and to the development" at Afungi.&nbsp;

A military source told AFP earlier this month that Total evacuated all of its staff after drone surveillance showed insurgents were in areas "very close" to the gas plant.&nbsp;

Last week, the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) said Total had already suspended contracts with a series of businesses indirectly involved in the gas project.&nbsp;

The National Petroleum Institute (INP), a Mozambique government body that governs energy projects, said on Monday that Total "may not fulfil contractual obligations and could suspend or cancel further contracts, depending how long the halt (to construction) lasts."&nbsp;

Nevertheless, "Total hasn't abandoned the project," INP chief Carlos Zacarias told reporters in capital Maputo, adding that "the main contracts between Total and its major contractors remain in force".&nbsp;

Gas-rich Cabo Delgado has been battered by a bloody jihadist insurgency since 2017 by a group known locally as al-Shabab.&nbsp;

The violence has killed at least 2,600 people according to NGO Acled, while Maputo said last week that more than 700,000 have been displaced.&nbsp;

Its scale raised doubts over the viability of the biggest single investment in Africa even before the latest raid.&nbsp;

March's attack on Palma took place just 10 kilometres (six miles) from the gas project's nerve centre, despite a government commitment to set up a 25-kilometre security radius around the site.&nbsp;

Hundreds of people, including many foreign workers, were evacuated by air and sea while thousands of locals walked to nearby districts.&nbsp;

French energy giant Total on Monday confirmed it is suspending work on a massive $20 billion gas project in northern Mozambique following the latest jihadist assault on a nearby town last month.

French energy giant Total on Monday confirmed it is suspending work on a massive $20 billion gas project in northern Mozambique following the latest jihadist assault on a nearby town last month. Total removed its remaining staff from the Afungi peninsula natural gas site after a jihadist raid in the nearby town of Palma on March 24 left dozens of people dead. It had already evacuated some workers and suspended construction in January following a series of jihadist attacks nearby.. "In the current environment, Total can no longer operate in the Cabo Delgado province in a safe and efficient manner," a Total spokeswoman told AFP. "All project personnel have been removed from the site and will not return until conditions allow," the spokeswoman added, saying "it is too early to provide an updated project schedule". Total also said on Monday that it was declaring a "force majeure" situation beyond its control, a legal concept meaning it can suspend fulfilling contractual obligations. The declaration "will remain in effect until the Government of Mozambique has restored security and stability in the province... in a verifiable and sustainable manner," the company added -- although it "remains committed to Mozambique and to the development" at Afungi. A military source told AFP earlier this month that Total evacuated all of its staff after drone surveillance showed insurgents were in areas "very close" to the gas plant. Last week, the Confederation of Economic Associations of Mozambique (CTA) said Total had already suspended contracts with a series of businesses indirectly involved in the gas project. The National Petroleum Institute (INP), a Mozambique government body that governs energy projects, said on Monday that Total "may not fulfil contractual obligations and could suspend or cancel further contracts, depending how long the halt (to construction) lasts." Nevertheless, "Total hasn't abandoned the project," INP chief Carlos Zacarias told reporters in capital Maputo, adding that "the main contracts between Total and its major contractors remain in force". Gas-rich Cabo Delgado has been battered by a bloody jihadist insurgency since 2017 by a group known locally as al-Shabab. The violence has killed at least 2,600 people according to NGO Acled, while Maputo said last week that more than 700,000 have been displaced. Its scale raised doubts over the viability of the biggest single investment in Africa even before the latest raid. March's attack on Palma took place just 10 kilometres (six miles) from the gas project's nerve centre, despite a government commitment to set up a 25-kilometre security radius around the site. Hundreds of people, including many foreign workers, were evacuated by air and sea while thousands of locals walked to nearby districts.

Total halts Mozambique gas project after attacks 

Almost one million people are facing severe hunger in northern Mozambique where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee a jihadist insurgency, the UN&nbsp;food agency said on Tuesday.

"As the security situation continues to deteriorate, more than 950,000 people in the north of Mozambique are now facing severe hunger," Tomson Phiri, a spokesman for the World Food Programme, told a briefing in Geneva.

Islamic State-linked militants have escalated attacks in Mozambique's northernmost province Cabo Delgado in the past year, murdering villagers, fighting the army and seizing towns.

Almost one million people are facing severe hunger in northern Mozambique where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee a jihadist insurgency, the UN food agency said on Tuesday.

Almost one million people are facing severe hunger in northern Mozambique where hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee a jihadist insurgency, the UN food agency said on Tuesday. "As the security situation continues to deteriorate, more than 950,000 people in the north of Mozambique are now facing severe hunger," Tomson Phiri, a spokesman for the World Food Programme, told a briefing in Geneva. Islamic State-linked militants have escalated attacks in Mozambique's northernmost province Cabo Delgado in the past year, murdering villagers, fighting the army and seizing towns.

UN food agency says nearly 1 million going hungry in Mozambique

Mozambique armed forces found beheaded victims after retaking the coastal city of Palma. Is a Southern African military intervention the only way to stave off an Islamist insurgency?

Gravitas: Mozambique army retakes Palma, finds beheaded victims

Southern Africa's regional bloc on Thursday vowed a "proportionate" response to jihadists who last month raided a key town in northern&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;in a sharp escalation of a three-year-old insurgency.

Six presidents from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in the Mozambican capital Maputo, two weeks after the attack on the town of Palma left dozens dead and forced thousands from their homes.

The summit "affirmed that such heinous attacks cannot be allowed to continue without a proportionate regional response", the bloc said in a statement.&nbsp;

The 16-member grouping said it was committed to contributing towards efforts to restore peace in the area but did not specify what support it was offering.&nbsp;

It said a "technical" team would immediately be deployed to Maputo, without giving details of the tasks of the panel nor its composition.

Speaking to the media after the deliberations, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Summit, "had agreed that the SADC Force should be resuscitated and capacitated immediately so that it can intervene".

Leaders of&nbsp;Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe attended the meeting.&nbsp;

Mozambique&nbsp;President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday said the insurgents had been forced out of Palma and that his government was "evaluating" its needs for external support.

"It is not about empty pride, it is about a sense of sovereignty," he said.

"No war is won if it is not clear from the start what must be done by our country and what must be done by the allies." &nbsp;

Southern Africa had enjoyed relative stability compared to other regions in recent years until insurgents started battering&nbsp;Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province.

In a coordinated attack, insurgents seized Palma, a port that lies close to a multi-billion-dollar liquid natural gas (LNG) project viewed as crucial for the Mozambican economy.

The assault claimed dozens of lives, according to the authorities, while the UN says more than 11,000 were forced to flee. Total, the French energy giant behind the LNG project, has withdrawn its personnel from the site.

Known locally as Al-Shabaab -- but with no known relation to the Somali group of the same name -- Cabo Delgado's jihadists have launched more than 800 raids on towns and villages in an apparent bid to establish an Islamic caliphate.

The violence has killed over 2,600 people and uprooted around three-quarters of a million others, according to estimates.

Southern Africa's regional bloc on Thursday vowed a "proportionate" response to jihadists who last month raided a key town in northern Mozambique in a sharp escalation of a three-year-old insurgency.

Southern Africa's regional bloc on Thursday vowed a "proportionate" response to jihadists who last month raided a key town in northern Mozambique in a sharp escalation of a three-year-old insurgency. Six presidents from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in the Mozambican capital Maputo, two weeks after the attack on the town of Palma left dozens dead and forced thousands from their homes. The summit "affirmed that such heinous attacks cannot be allowed to continue without a proportionate regional response", the bloc said in a statement. The 16-member grouping said it was committed to contributing towards efforts to restore peace in the area but did not specify what support it was offering. It said a "technical" team would immediately be deployed to Maputo, without giving details of the tasks of the panel nor its composition. Speaking to the media after the deliberations, Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa said the Summit, "had agreed that the SADC Force should be resuscitated and capacitated immediately so that it can intervene". Leaders of Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe attended the meeting. Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday said the insurgents had been forced out of Palma and that his government was "evaluating" its needs for external support. "It is not about empty pride, it is about a sense of sovereignty," he said. "No war is won if it is not clear from the start what must be done by our country and what must be done by the allies." Southern Africa had enjoyed relative stability compared to other regions in recent years until insurgents started battering Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province. In a coordinated attack, insurgents seized Palma, a port that lies close to a multi-billion-dollar liquid natural gas (LNG) project viewed as crucial for the Mozambican economy. The assault claimed dozens of lives, according to the authorities, while the UN says more than 11,000 were forced to flee. Total, the French energy giant behind the LNG project, has withdrawn its personnel from the site. Known locally as Al-Shabaab -- but with no known relation to the Somali group of the same name -- Cabo Delgado's jihadists have launched more than 800 raids on towns and villages in an apparent bid to establish an Islamic caliphate. The violence has killed over 2,600 people and uprooted around three-quarters of a million others, according to estimates.

SADC vows 'proportionate' response to Mozambique's jihadists

The town in northern&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;that Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked late last month is now secure after the military killed a significant number of militants and cleared one final area, an army spokesman and a provincial official said.

"We have completed the clearing (of the town). It was the only sensitive area that we needed to clear. ... It is completely safe," army spokesman Chongo Vidigal said in comments broadcast by state TV channel TVM late on Sunday.

Armindo Ngunga, secretary of state for the Cabo Delgado province, told Reuters on Monday that the town of Palma was "under the control of the state".

"There was significant loss of human life, infrastructure destroyed. But people are safe now," Ngunga added.

Insurgents on March 24 attacked the coastal town of Palma, near natural gas projects worth $60 billion that are meant to transform&nbsp;Mozambique's economy.&nbsp;Mozambique's government says dozens died in the assault, and security sources say clashes continued outside the town as recently as Friday.

Reuters has not been able to verify the accounts from Palma independently. Most means of communication with the town were cut off after the attack began.

Footage taken by TVM in Palma showed a soldier covering a body lying in the street and burned buildings.

Vidigal said the facilities of French energy company Total near Palma were being protected, after sources told Reuters on Friday that Total had withdrawn all its staff as the militants appeared to be approaching.

A Total spokesman and&nbsp;Mozambique's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday.

Islamic State-linked insurgents have been increasingly active in Cabo Delgado since 2017, although it is unclear whether they have a unified aim.

Aid groups believe the latest attack displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom fled into dense forest or escaped by boat. But the extent of the death and displacement is not yet clear, and many remain unaccounted for.

Survivors have recounted seeing bodies of others who died of hunger or dehydration while trying to escape.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

The town in northern Mozambique that Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked late last month is now secure after the military killed a significant number of militants and cleared one final area, an army spokesman and a provincial official said.

The town in northern Mozambique that Islamic State-linked insurgents attacked late last month is now secure after the military killed a significant number of militants and cleared one final area, an army spokesman and a provincial official said. "We have completed the clearing (of the town). It was the only sensitive area that we needed to clear. ... It is completely safe," army spokesman Chongo Vidigal said in comments broadcast by state TV channel TVM late on Sunday. Armindo Ngunga, secretary of state for the Cabo Delgado province, told Reuters on Monday that the town of Palma was "under the control of the state". "There was significant loss of human life, infrastructure destroyed. But people are safe now," Ngunga added. Insurgents on March 24 attacked the coastal town of Palma, near natural gas projects worth $60 billion that are meant to transform Mozambique's economy. Mozambique's government says dozens died in the assault, and security sources say clashes continued outside the town as recently as Friday. Reuters has not been able to verify the accounts from Palma independently. Most means of communication with the town were cut off after the attack began. Footage taken by TVM in Palma showed a soldier covering a body lying in the street and burned buildings. Vidigal said the facilities of French energy company Total near Palma were being protected, after sources told Reuters on Friday that Total had withdrawn all its staff as the militants appeared to be approaching. A Total spokesman and Mozambique's defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Monday. Islamic State-linked insurgents have been increasingly active in Cabo Delgado since 2017, although it is unclear whether they have a unified aim. Aid groups believe the latest attack displaced tens of thousands of people, many of whom fled into dense forest or escaped by boat. But the extent of the death and displacement is not yet clear, and many remain unaccounted for. Survivors have recounted seeing bodies of others who died of hunger or dehydration while trying to escape. (With inputs from agencies)

Mozambique army says town attacked by insurgents is now secure

It took the world 5 years, numerous lives, and a coalition of over 80 countries to defeat the Islamic State in Syria. The terror group is now capturing another country.

Gravitas: What's happening in Mozambique?

More than a week after jihadists staged a deadly raid on the northern Mozambican town of Palma, survivors on Thursday streamed into the port of Pemba, capital of gas-rich Cabo Delgado province.

Scores of relatives huddled outside the port, straining to spot family members disembarking from boats arriving from Palma, some 200 kilometres (120 miles) away.

More than 8,000 were displaced, dozens killed and many more are still missing following a coordinated attack on the town of Palma on March 24.

The jihadists reportedly beheaded residents and ransacked buildings in a rampage that forced thousands to seek safety in surrounding forests.

The attack is seen as the biggest escalation of the Islamist insurgency ravaging Cabo Delgado province since 2017.

On fishing boats or on foot, thousands of survivors fled the city of 75,000 inhabitants -- more than 40,000 of whom had already been displaced from their original homes and were living in Palma.

Hundreds more were still arriving in Pemba, the UN said on Thursday.

There is "no sense of normalcy returning, unfortunately," the UN refugee agency's Juliana Ghazi told AFP in Johannesburg from Pemba on Thursday.

A woman wearing a blue denim pinafore and pink face mask sat on the ground at the port, with a vacant stare, one hand clutching a fence, waiting for her son.

Another woman consoled her as she broke down in sobs.

A ferry carrying almost 1,200 passengers, mainly women and children, had docked at the port overnight.

The most vulnerable escapees including unaccompanied and injured children are being flown to the city -- the UN said nearly half of the 8,166 people who are registered as displaced are children.

'Utmost concern'

The attack launched last Wednesday was the latest in a string of more than 830 organised raids by the Islamist militants over the past three years, killing more than 2,689 and uprooting&nbsp;nearly 700,000.

A South African man was among those killed when a convoy of cars trying to evacuate survivors from a hotel was ambushed, his family said.

Britain's Times newspaper on Thursday reported that a Briton also died in the ambush and that his remains had been handed to the Special Air Services rescue team.

The defence ministry could not confirm or deny the death.

The African Union has called for urgent and coordinated international action to jointly address the "urgent threat to regional and continental peace and security". &nbsp;

In a statement, AU chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed "utmost concern" at the presence of international extremist groups in southern Africa, calling for an "urgent and coordinated regional and international action".

The regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare on Wednesday to discuss the violence.

"This has heightened insecurity in the area, leading to a serious humanitarian crisis," the SADC chair, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said in a statement on Thursday.

"It is our fervent hope that the perpetrators will be quickly arrested and brought to justice."&nbsp;

But&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday played down the attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project.

French oil giant Total and other international companies have invested in a multi-billion-dollar gas exploration scheme off the Afungi peninsula, around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from Palma.

Total had already evacuated some staff and suspended construction work in late December following a series of jihadist attacks near its compound.

In Afungi, army commander Chongo Vidigal said the gas project was "protected".

"We are currently in the special area in Afungi and never had a terrorism threat," he said. &nbsp;

The aid-dependent country has sent troops to Palma to try and recapture the town.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Mozambique's former colonial master Portugal announced plans to send around 60 troops to back them up. &nbsp;

Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province with the aim of establishing a caliphate.

The insurgents are affiliated with the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week.

More than a week after jihadists staged a deadly raid on the northern Mozambican town of Palma, survivors on Thursday streamed into the port of Pemba, capital of gas-rich Cabo Delgado province.

More than a week after jihadists staged a deadly raid on the northern Mozambican town of Palma, survivors on Thursday streamed into the port of Pemba, capital of gas-rich Cabo Delgado province. Scores of relatives huddled outside the port, straining to spot family members disembarking from boats arriving from Palma, some 200 kilometres (120 miles) away. More than 8,000 were displaced, dozens killed and many more are still missing following a coordinated attack on the town of Palma on March 24. The jihadists reportedly beheaded residents and ransacked buildings in a rampage that forced thousands to seek safety in surrounding forests. The attack is seen as the biggest escalation of the Islamist insurgency ravaging Cabo Delgado province since 2017. On fishing boats or on foot, thousands of survivors fled the city of 75,000 inhabitants -- more than 40,000 of whom had already been displaced from their original homes and were living in Palma. Hundreds more were still arriving in Pemba, the UN said on Thursday. There is "no sense of normalcy returning, unfortunately," the UN refugee agency's Juliana Ghazi told AFP in Johannesburg from Pemba on Thursday. A woman wearing a blue denim pinafore and pink face mask sat on the ground at the port, with a vacant stare, one hand clutching a fence, waiting for her son. Another woman consoled her as she broke down in sobs. A ferry carrying almost 1,200 passengers, mainly women and children, had docked at the port overnight. The most vulnerable escapees including unaccompanied and injured children are being flown to the city -- the UN said nearly half of the 8,166 people who are registered as displaced are children. 'Utmost concern' The attack launched last Wednesday was the latest in a string of more than 830 organised raids by the Islamist militants over the past three years, killing more than 2,689 and uprooting nearly 700,000. A South African man was among those killed when a convoy of cars trying to evacuate survivors from a hotel was ambushed, his family said. Britain's Times newspaper on Thursday reported that a Briton also died in the ambush and that his remains had been handed to the Special Air Services rescue team. The defence ministry could not confirm or deny the death. The African Union has called for urgent and coordinated international action to jointly address the "urgent threat to regional and continental peace and security". In a statement, AU chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed "utmost concern" at the presence of international extremist groups in southern Africa, calling for an "urgent and coordinated regional and international action". The regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare on Wednesday to discuss the violence. "This has heightened insecurity in the area, leading to a serious humanitarian crisis," the SADC chair, Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi, said in a statement on Thursday. "It is our fervent hope that the perpetrators will be quickly arrested and brought to justice." But Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday played down the attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project. French oil giant Total and other international companies have invested in a multi-billion-dollar gas exploration scheme off the Afungi peninsula, around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from Palma. Total had already evacuated some staff and suspended construction work in late December following a series of jihadist attacks near its compound. In Afungi, army commander Chongo Vidigal said the gas project was "protected". "We are currently in the special area in Afungi and never had a terrorism threat," he said. The aid-dependent country has sent troops to Palma to try and recapture the town. On Tuesday, Mozambique's former colonial master Portugal announced plans to send around 60 troops to back them up. Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province with the aim of establishing a caliphate. The insurgents are affiliated with the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week.

Survivors from Mozambique attack stream into Pemba safe haven

Portugal announces plans to send around 60 troops to its former colony Mozambique following an attack by Islamic State-linked Jihadists. Islamic state-linked groups have taken control over the town of Palma.

Mozambique Violence: Portugal plans to send 60 troops to fight Jihadists

More than 8,100 people have reached safety outside the northern Mozambican town of Palma a week after it was besieged by jihadists, the UN said Wednesday, as thousands others remained stranded.

Armed militants raided the coastal town on March 24, ransacking buildings and beheading residents as thousands fled into surrounding forest.

Dozens have been killed and many more are still missing in a coordinated attack seen as the biggest escalation of an Islamist insurgency that has battered Cabo Delgado province since 2017.

"Many more people remain displaced inside of Palma, including thousands who have reportedly gathered near the Afungi complex, where the security situation remains volatile," the UN agency for humanitarian assistance OCHA said.&nbsp;

Up to 10,000 are estimated to be around the Afungi peninsula gas site, according to sources involved.&nbsp;

The fighting had already displaced nearly 700,000 people in the gas-rich province, more than 43,000 of which were staying in Palma before the attack.

Hundreds more were still seeking to leave Palma, while thousands were making their way out by foot, boat and road, the UN said.

Palma is around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from a multi-billion-dollar liquified natural gas (LNG) project led by French firm Total and involving other international companies.

But President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday downplayed the latest attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project.

"Let us not lose focus, let us not be disturbed," Nyusi told reporters at an event in the capital Maputo.

The army said it had sent more troops to Palma in a bid to recapture the town, with local TV showing soldiers deploying.

"We are still disembarking troops. We have not declared the end of our intervention," mission commander Chongo Vidigal said.

Regional bloc the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare to discuss the violence. &nbsp;

Total had already suspended operations and evacuated some staff in late December after jihadists launched a series of raids near its compound.

It had just announced plans to progressively resume work hours before the militants attacked Palma.

'In shock'&nbsp;

Most displaced residents arrived at the LNG site on the Afungi peninsula hungry, dehydrated and "in shock" after hiding in the bush for days, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Some bore life-threatening injuries, MSF emergency coordinator Sylvie Kaczmarczyk said.

"We have cared for one baby with a bullet wound," she said.

Pregnant women were arriving in "terrible condition", she added, while others clutched newly-born babies delivered in the bush.

The most vulnerable escapees, including unaccompanied and injured children, have been flown into the city by the UN. Nearly half of the 8,166 registered displaced are children, the UN said.

Hundreds of others used their own means, streaming into surrounding districts on fishing boats, buses and on foot.&nbsp;

Outside the port of Pemba, residents with family in Palma anxiously scoured incoming survivors for familiar faces.

They milled around the port's barbed-wire walls and sat against nearby buildings.

"We don't know if our relatives are on the boats that are coming or not, but we are here, we are not losing hope," Muza Momadi told AFP as she waited for her mother and brother.

"The number of people displaced... will continue to increase over the coming days," said the UN Refugee agency's Margarida Loureiro in Pemba, adding some are reportedly trying to cross the border into Tanzania.

&nbsp;Waiting for relatives

So far the "flow of arrivals is constant but not massive," said an unnamed aid agency official coordinating humanitarian assistance in Nandage and Mueda, respectively over 50 and 150 kilometres (30-90 miles) from Palma.

Helicopters carrying humanitarian personnel landed at Pemba airport, alongside a small plane flying troops back from Palma, said an AFP photographer at the scene.

One soldier leaned on a stick as he limped barefoot across the tarmac, trouser leg rolled up above the knee.

The government has not yet disclosed military casualties.

Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province in a bid to establish a caliphate.

The insurgents are affiliated to the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week.

Their bloody campaign has claimed at least 2,600 lives, half of them civilians -- a figure expected to rise significantly following the latest assault.

More than 8,100 people have reached safety outside the northern Mozambican town of Palma a week after it was besieged by jihadists, the UN said Wednesday, as thousands others remained stranded.

More than 8,100 people have reached safety outside the northern Mozambican town of Palma a week after it was besieged by jihadists, the UN said Wednesday, as thousands others remained stranded. Armed militants raided the coastal town on March 24, ransacking buildings and beheading residents as thousands fled into surrounding forest. Dozens have been killed and many more are still missing in a coordinated attack seen as the biggest escalation of an Islamist insurgency that has battered Cabo Delgado province since 2017. "Many more people remain displaced inside of Palma, including thousands who have reportedly gathered near the Afungi complex, where the security situation remains volatile," the UN agency for humanitarian assistance OCHA said. Up to 10,000 are estimated to be around the Afungi peninsula gas site, according to sources involved. The fighting had already displaced nearly 700,000 people in the gas-rich province, more than 43,000 of which were staying in Palma before the attack. Hundreds more were still seeking to leave Palma, while thousands were making their way out by foot, boat and road, the UN said. Palma is around 10 kilometres (six miles) away from a multi-billion-dollar liquified natural gas (LNG) project led by French firm Total and involving other international companies. But President Filipe Nyusi on Wednesday downplayed the latest attack as "not the biggest", despite its unprecedented proximity to Africa's single biggest investment project. "Let us not lose focus, let us not be disturbed," Nyusi told reporters at an event in the capital Maputo. The army said it had sent more troops to Palma in a bid to recapture the town, with local TV showing soldiers deploying. "We are still disembarking troops. We have not declared the end of our intervention," mission commander Chongo Vidigal said. Regional bloc the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held emergency talks in Harare to discuss the violence. Total had already suspended operations and evacuated some staff in late December after jihadists launched a series of raids near its compound. It had just announced plans to progressively resume work hours before the militants attacked Palma. 'In shock' Most displaced residents arrived at the LNG site on the Afungi peninsula hungry, dehydrated and "in shock" after hiding in the bush for days, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). Some bore life-threatening injuries, MSF emergency coordinator Sylvie Kaczmarczyk said. "We have cared for one baby with a bullet wound," she said. Pregnant women were arriving in "terrible condition", she added, while others clutched newly-born babies delivered in the bush. The most vulnerable escapees, including unaccompanied and injured children, have been flown into the city by the UN. Nearly half of the 8,166 registered displaced are children, the UN said. Hundreds of others used their own means, streaming into surrounding districts on fishing boats, buses and on foot. Outside the port of Pemba, residents with family in Palma anxiously scoured incoming survivors for familiar faces. They milled around the port's barbed-wire walls and sat against nearby buildings. "We don't know if our relatives are on the boats that are coming or not, but we are here, we are not losing hope," Muza Momadi told AFP as she waited for her mother and brother. "The number of people displaced... will continue to increase over the coming days," said the UN Refugee agency's Margarida Loureiro in Pemba, adding some are reportedly trying to cross the border into Tanzania. Waiting for relatives So far the "flow of arrivals is constant but not massive," said an unnamed aid agency official coordinating humanitarian assistance in Nandage and Mueda, respectively over 50 and 150 kilometres (30-90 miles) from Palma. Helicopters carrying humanitarian personnel landed at Pemba airport, alongside a small plane flying troops back from Palma, said an AFP photographer at the scene. One soldier leaned on a stick as he limped barefoot across the tarmac, trouser leg rolled up above the knee. The government has not yet disclosed military casualties. Cabo Delgado's jihadists have wreaked havoc across the province in a bid to establish a caliphate. The insurgents are affiliated to the Islamic State group, which claimed the attack on Palma this week. Their bloody campaign has claimed at least 2,600 lives, half of them civilians -- a figure expected to rise significantly following the latest assault.

Over 8,000 Mozambique attack survivors find refuge: UN

Mozambique is witnessing deadly violence and Islamist attack. ISIS has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the port town of Palma - which has some of the world's biggest gas reserves. Is Mozambique the latest outpost of ISIS?

Gravitas: Is Mozambique the latest outpost of Islamic State?

Islamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing.

Islamist insurgents hit the town, adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, with a three-pronged attack on Wednesday. Fighting continued on Monday, according to a security source directly involved in efforts to secure the town.

The government confirmed on Sunday that dozens of people had died, including seven when their convoy of cars was ambushed during an escape attempt.

Islamic State 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 a number of soldiers, destroyed and taken control of buildings including factories and banks, and seized vehicles, it said.

Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Most communications to Palma have been down since Wednesday.

Officials at&nbsp;Mozambique's defence ministry and its national police could not be reached for comment by phone on Monday and did not immediately reply to text messages.

The country's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado, where Palma is located on the border with Tanzania, has been home since 2017 to a simmering Islamist insurgency now linked to Islamic State.

Boat rescues

The total number of dead or missing following the attack remains unclear. Tens of thousands of people may have fled, according to three aid workers.

Nick Alexander, a British-South African contractor, was in a convoy of vehicles attempting to escape a besieged hotel on Friday, his daughter Jayde, who lives in Johannesburg, told Reuters via WhatsApp.

He spent two nights crawling in the bush after the ambush before being rescued, she said, adding that he had grabbed a machine gun from a military vehicle for protection only to find it did not work.

"He is alive and well and on his way home," she said.

Many people fled to the beach in hopes of being rescued, another security source in touch with government-allied forces said. A variety of boats were taking them to the provincial capital, Pemba, about 150 miles (240 km) to the south, an aid worker said.

Government-contracted helicopters have also been rescuing people, the security sources said.

No contact

Relatives of the missing waited anxiously at Pemba's port, hoping to hear news of their family members.

"I have had no contact with my family since Wednesday, my wife, my sons, my mother, my brothers," Pemba resident Patricio Amade told Portugal's state news agency Lusa.

Lusa also reported on Monday that hundreds of people who fled Palma had arrived at the border with Tanzania after walking through the bush for days to get to safety.

Tanzania's police told Reuters they had not so far seen people seeking to enter their territory from&nbsp;Mozambique.

At least one South African was among those killed. Britain's The Times newspaper reported that a British national had died.

French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development outside Palma following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum".

The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues.

Islamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing.

Islamic State said on Monday its fighters had carried out an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma, where dozens were killed, thousands displaced and some remain missing. Islamist insurgents hit the town, adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, with a three-pronged attack on Wednesday. Fighting continued on Monday, according to a security source directly involved in efforts to secure the town. The government confirmed on Sunday that dozens of people had died, including seven when their convoy of cars was ambushed during an escape attempt. Islamic State 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 a number of soldiers, destroyed and taken control of buildings including factories and banks, and seized vehicles, it said. Reuters could not independently verify the claims. Most communications to Palma have been down since Wednesday. Officials at Mozambique's defence ministry and its national police could not be reached for comment by phone on Monday and did not immediately reply to text messages. The country's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado, where Palma is located on the border with Tanzania, has been home since 2017 to a simmering Islamist insurgency now linked to Islamic State. Boat rescues The total number of dead or missing following the attack remains unclear. Tens of thousands of people may have fled, according to three aid workers. Nick Alexander, a British-South African contractor, was in a convoy of vehicles attempting to escape a besieged hotel on Friday, his daughter Jayde, who lives in Johannesburg, told Reuters via WhatsApp. He spent two nights crawling in the bush after the ambush before being rescued, she said, adding that he had grabbed a machine gun from a military vehicle for protection only to find it did not work. "He is alive and well and on his way home," she said. Many people fled to the beach in hopes of being rescued, another security source in touch with government-allied forces said. A variety of boats were taking them to the provincial capital, Pemba, about 150 miles (240 km) to the south, an aid worker said. Government-contracted helicopters have also been rescuing people, the security sources said. No contact Relatives of the missing waited anxiously at Pemba's port, hoping to hear news of their family members. "I have had no contact with my family since Wednesday, my wife, my sons, my mother, my brothers," Pemba resident Patricio Amade told Portugal's state news agency Lusa. Lusa also reported on Monday that hundreds of people who fled Palma had arrived at the border with Tanzania after walking through the bush for days to get to safety. Tanzania's police told Reuters they had not so far seen people seeking to enter their territory from Mozambique. At least one South African was among those killed. Britain's The Times newspaper reported that a British national had died. French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development outside Palma following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum". The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues.

Islamic State claims deadly attack on northern Mozambique town

In Mozambique, Islamist militants have laid siege to an entire town & gained control of a multi-billion-dollar gas project. WION's Palki tells you why the world can't afford to look the other way.

Gravitas: Mozambique Islamist Terror Attack

The town of Palma in Northern Mozambique has seen heavy violence and bloodshed for the past six days. But violence escalated on Monday further as armed rebels battled in the army in several locations.

Mozambique: Palma escapees arrive in Pemba, recount violence

Islamic militants attempted to evacuate people trapped during the attack, causing many casualties in northern Mozambique, with dozens still missing.

Mozambique: Dozens killed in terror attack by 'Islamic state linked terrorists'

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country`s defence and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt.

Hundreds of other people, both local and foreigners, have been rescued from the town, next to gas projects worth $60 billion, Omar Saranga told journalists on Sunday.

"The defence and security forces registered the loss of seven lives of a group of citizens that left the Amarula hotel in a convoy that was ambushed by the terrorists," Saranga said.

A South African woman, Meryl Knox, told Reuters her son Adrian Nel had died in that ambush. Her husband and another son hid with his body in the bush until the following morning, when they were able to make it to safety in Pemba. A British contractor had also been killed, Britain`s Times newspaper said.

The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State.

Hundreds of people fleeing the attack are arriving by boat in the port city of Pemba, a diplomat and an aid worker said.

Saranga said the security forces were seeking to "eliminate some pockets of resistance" after spending the past three days focusing mainly on rescuing local and foreign citizens. It has not specified the name of the group and there has been no claim of responsibility.

"On March 24, a group of terrorists penetrated... the headquarters of Palma village and unleashed actions that culminated with the assassination of dozens of defenceless people," he said in the most specific information yet on the number of casualties in an area where communications are poor.

Militants struck Palma, a logistics hub for international gas projects worth $60 billion, on Wednesday. The government has yet to re-establish control, the diplomat and a security source directly involved in the operations to secure Palma said.

Reuters could not independently verify the accounts, as most communications with Palma were cut on Wednesday. 
Calls to officials at the foreign ministry and provincial government went unanswered or did not go through on Sunday.

The boats arriving in Pemba on Sunday carried both locals and foreigners, including employees from the gas projects, the aid official and diplomat said. One boat was carrying around 1,300 people, said the diplomat.

French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum".

The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues. 
Witnesses have described bodies in the streets of Palma, some of them beheaded. On Friday, militants ambushed a convoy of people, including foreign workers, attempting to escape a hotel.

Government-contracted helicopters were searching for more survivors on Sunday. Lionel Dyck, who runs a private security firm working with the government, said his helicopters had rescued some 120 people overall.

The exact number of people injured and killed in the four-day assault on Palma, or still unaccounted for, remained unclear. The town had previously been a refuge for people fleeing violence elsewhere in the province.

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country`s defence and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt.

Dozens of people were killed in an attack on the northern Mozambique town of Palma this week, a spokesman for the country`s defence and security forces said, including seven people when a convoy of cars was ambushed in an escape attempt. Hundreds of other people, both local and foreigners, have been rescued from the town, next to gas projects worth $60 billion, Omar Saranga told journalists on Sunday. "The defence and security forces registered the loss of seven lives of a group of citizens that left the Amarula hotel in a convoy that was ambushed by the terrorists," Saranga said. A South African woman, Meryl Knox, told Reuters her son Adrian Nel had died in that ambush. Her husband and another son hid with his body in the bush until the following morning, when they were able to make it to safety in Pemba. A British contractor had also been killed, Britain`s Times newspaper said. The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State. Hundreds of people fleeing the attack are arriving by boat in the port city of Pemba, a diplomat and an aid worker said. Saranga said the security forces were seeking to "eliminate some pockets of resistance" after spending the past three days focusing mainly on rescuing local and foreign citizens. It has not specified the name of the group and there has been no claim of responsibility. "On March 24, a group of terrorists penetrated... the headquarters of Palma village and unleashed actions that culminated with the assassination of dozens of defenceless people," he said in the most specific information yet on the number of casualties in an area where communications are poor. Militants struck Palma, a logistics hub for international gas projects worth $60 billion, on Wednesday. The government has yet to re-establish control, the diplomat and a security source directly involved in the operations to secure Palma said. Reuters could not independently verify the accounts, as most communications with Palma were cut on Wednesday. Calls to officials at the foreign ministry and provincial government went unanswered or did not go through on Sunday. The boats arriving in Pemba on Sunday carried both locals and foreigners, including employees from the gas projects, the aid official and diplomat said. One boat was carrying around 1,300 people, said the diplomat. French energy group Total said on Saturday it was calling off a planned resumption of construction at its $20 billion development following the attack and would reduce its workforce to a "strict minimum". The company pulled out the majority of its workforce in January due to security issues. Witnesses have described bodies in the streets of Palma, some of them beheaded. On Friday, militants ambushed a convoy of people, including foreign workers, attempting to escape a hotel. Government-contracted helicopters were searching for more survivors on Sunday. Lionel Dyck, who runs a private security firm working with the government, said his helicopters had rescued some 120 people overall. The exact number of people injured and killed in the four-day assault on Palma, or still unaccounted for, remained unclear. The town had previously been a refuge for people fleeing violence elsewhere in the province.

Dozens killed in besieged Mozambique gas town

Suspected Islamist insurgents attacked a convoy of fleeing civilians, including foreign workers, as fighting continued in a northern Mozambique town that is near a number of gas projects, security and diplomatic sources said.

At least one person was killed and a number wounded in Friday`s attack, according to three sources and three organizations with employees inside a hotel where people have been taking refuge in the town of Palma.

French energy group Total said on Saturday it had postponed the restart of work at its site near Palma, a logistics hub adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion. No project staff were among the victims of the fighting, it said.

The attack on Palma began just hours after Total said on Wednesday that it would resume work at its $20 billion project after halting operations in January due to security concerns.

Nearly 200 people had been sheltering in the Amarula Palma hotel during the attack, according to three diplomats and one of the organisations with people inside.

They included a Spanish resident and other foreigners who locked themselves in a protected room in the hotel, a Spanish diplomatic source told Reuters. Spain`s foreign ministry confirmed there had been a Spanish citizen in Palma who managed to flee the town.

Before the ambush, rescue efforts had been underway with at least 20 people flown to safety in helicopters, said Lionel Dyck, who runs Dyck Advisory Group, a South African private security company that works with Mozambique`s government.

On Friday afternoon, some people attempted to escape in a convoy of vehicles but were ambushed just outside the hotel, according to Dyck, two diplomats and the organizations with people inside.

Dyck said his helicopters evacuated more than 20 survivors on Saturday.

SOME STILL MISSING

Reuters could not independently verify the accounts. Most communications with Palma are down. Officials at Mozambique`s foreign ministry, defence ministry and provincial government did not immediately respond to calls or had their phones switched off on Saturday. The national police said they were evaluating the situation, without providing further details.Mozambique`s government said on Thursday that security forces were working to restore order in Palma.

The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State.

c slSouth Africa`s foreign ministry said some of its citizens had been affected by attacks on foreign nationals on Friday. It did not elaborate.

Cindy Cooke, a South African whose 21-year-old stepson Francois van Niekerk is in Palma, was frantically trying to get information.

His family had not heard from him since Wednesday, though rescuers had been to his location on Saturday and he was not there, she said.

"It`s scary. Being there is no joke. They (the insurgents) are ruthless, just ruthless," she said.

Beheadings have been a hallmark of attacks by the insurgents, whose rebellion is rooted in local issues from poverty and unemployment to perceived corruption and religious discrimination.

Portugal`s foreign ministry said one of its nationals had been injured in the fighting but did not specify the circumstances. The person had since been rescued, and its embassy in Maputo was working to identify other Portuguese nationals who needed support, the ministry said in an email.

New York-based Human Rights Watch said it spoke to seven people in Palma before communications were cut on Wednesday. They described people fleeing as gunshots rang out, bodies in the streets and insurgents firing at both people and buildings, the group said in a statement.

Suspected Islamist insurgents attacked a convoy of fleeing civilians, including foreign workers, as fighting continued in a northern Mozambique town that is near a number of gas projects, security and diplomatic sources said.

Suspected Islamist insurgents attacked a convoy of fleeing civilians, including foreign workers, as fighting continued in a northern Mozambique town that is near a number of gas projects, security and diplomatic sources said. At least one person was killed and a number wounded in Friday`s attack, according to three sources and three organizations with employees inside a hotel where people have been taking refuge in the town of Palma. French energy group Total said on Saturday it had postponed the restart of work at its site near Palma, a logistics hub adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion. No project staff were among the victims of the fighting, it said. The attack on Palma began just hours after Total said on Wednesday that it would resume work at its $20 billion project after halting operations in January due to security concerns. Nearly 200 people had been sheltering in the Amarula Palma hotel during the attack, according to three diplomats and one of the organisations with people inside. They included a Spanish resident and other foreigners who locked themselves in a protected room in the hotel, a Spanish diplomatic source told Reuters. Spain`s foreign ministry confirmed there had been a Spanish citizen in Palma who managed to flee the town. Before the ambush, rescue efforts had been underway with at least 20 people flown to safety in helicopters, said Lionel Dyck, who runs Dyck Advisory Group, a South African private security company that works with Mozambique`s government. On Friday afternoon, some people attempted to escape in a convoy of vehicles but were ambushed just outside the hotel, according to Dyck, two diplomats and the organizations with people inside. Dyck said his helicopters evacuated more than 20 survivors on Saturday. SOME STILL MISSING Reuters could not independently verify the accounts. Most communications with Palma are down. Officials at Mozambique`s foreign ministry, defence ministry and provincial government did not immediately respond to calls or had their phones switched off on Saturday. The national police said they were evaluating the situation, without providing further details.Mozambique`s government said on Thursday that security forces were working to restore order in Palma. The province of Cabo Delgado, where the town is located, has since 2017 been the target of a simmering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State. c slSouth Africa`s foreign ministry said some of its citizens had been affected by attacks on foreign nationals on Friday. It did not elaborate. Cindy Cooke, a South African whose 21-year-old stepson Francois van Niekerk is in Palma, was frantically trying to get information. His family had not heard from him since Wednesday, though rescuers had been to his location on Saturday and he was not there, she said. "It`s scary. Being there is no joke. They (the insurgents) are ruthless, just ruthless," she said. Beheadings have been a hallmark of attacks by the insurgents, whose rebellion is rooted in local issues from poverty and unemployment to perceived corruption and religious discrimination. Portugal`s foreign ministry said one of its nationals had been injured in the fighting but did not specify the circumstances. The person had since been rescued, and its embassy in Maputo was working to identify other Portuguese nationals who needed support, the ministry said in an email. New York-based Human Rights Watch said it spoke to seven people in Palma before communications were cut on Wednesday. They described people fleeing as gunshots rang out, bodies in the streets and insurgents firing at both people and buildings, the group said in a statement.

Convoy of fleeing civilians ambushed in besieged Mozambique town

Over 180 people are trapped inside a hotel in a northern Mozambique town under siege by insurgents for three days, media reports have said.

Also, several people were reportedly dead after the attack in Palma near a liquified natural gas site in Cabo Delgado province.

The Mozambique government on Thursday confirmed the attack on the town and said soldiers had launched an offensive to repel the fighters from the town, the hub of the giant gas project.

Jihadist militants began a raid on the coastal town on Wednesday afternoon, forcing terrified residents to flee into surrounding forest as LNG and government workers sought shelter at the Amarula Palma hotel -- waiting to be rescued.

Human Rights Watch said the attackers are linked to a group known locally as Al-Shabab, which has no known direct link to the Somalian jihadist organisation with a similar name.

"Several witnesses told Human Rights Watch that they saw bodies on the streets and residents fleeing after the Al-Shabab fighters fired indiscriminately at people and buildings," the rights group said in a statement on Friday.&nbsp;

South African news website News24 reported that one South African national had died during the attack.&nbsp;

Another worker from a company subcontracted by the Total said helicopters flew over the hotel earlier on Friday trying to find "a corridor to rescue the approximately 180 people trapped in the hotel".

In an unverified short video clip shared on social media, an unidentified man filmed the hotel lobby showing several people milling around the patio.

In a statement Friday, the US embassy in Maputo condemned the attack on Palma, pledging its commitment "to working with the government of Mozambique to counter violent extremism".

Militants affiliated with the so-called Islamic State group have raided villages and towns across the province, causing nearly 700,000 to flee their homes.

The violence has left at least 2,600 people dead, half of them civilians, according to the US-based data collecting agency Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).

Over 180 people are trapped inside a hotel in a northern Mozambique town under siege by insurgents for three days, media reports have said. Also, several people were reportedly dead after the attack in Palma near a liquified natural gas site in Cabo Delgado province.

Over 180 people are trapped inside a hotel in a northern Mozambique town under siege by insurgents for three days, media reports have said. Also, several people were reportedly dead after the attack in Palma near a liquified natural gas site in Cabo Delgado province. The Mozambique government on Thursday confirmed the attack on the town and said soldiers had launched an offensive to repel the fighters from the town, the hub of the giant gas project. Jihadist militants began a raid on the coastal town on Wednesday afternoon, forcing terrified residents to flee into surrounding forest as LNG and government workers sought shelter at the Amarula Palma hotel -- waiting to be rescued. Human Rights Watch said the attackers are linked to a group known locally as Al-Shabab, which has no known direct link to the Somalian jihadist organisation with a similar name. "Several witnesses told Human Rights Watch that they saw bodies on the streets and residents fleeing after the Al-Shabab fighters fired indiscriminately at people and buildings," the rights group said in a statement on Friday. South African news website News24 reported that one South African national had died during the attack. Another worker from a company subcontracted by the Total said helicopters flew over the hotel earlier on Friday trying to find "a corridor to rescue the approximately 180 people trapped in the hotel". In an unverified short video clip shared on social media, an unidentified man filmed the hotel lobby showing several people milling around the patio. In a statement Friday, the US embassy in Maputo condemned the attack on Palma, pledging its commitment "to working with the government of Mozambique to counter violent extremism". Militants affiliated with the so-called Islamic State group have raided villages and towns across the province, causing nearly 700,000 to flee their homes. The violence has left at least 2,600 people dead, half of them civilians, according to the US-based data collecting agency Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED).

More than 180 people trapped in Mozambique hotel after insurgent attack

Fighting around the&nbsp;Mozambique&nbsp;town of Palma, which is adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, entered a second day on Thursday, two security sources and a diplomat told Reuters.

Mozambique's government confirmed that the town, in its northern-most province of Cabo Delgado and just kilometres from the perimeter of gas developments led by oil majors like Total, came under a three-pronged attack on Wednesday and security forces were working to establish order.

Palma falls within a 25-kilometre "special security area" that the French oil major had requested from the government after suspending work at the site due to security issues.

Total had just said on Wednesday, prior to the attack, that it would resume construction as this zone had been set up.

The company had no immediate comment on the impact of the attack on its operations.

Since 2017, the Cabo Delgado province has been home to a festering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State.

Within a few hours of Total's announcement, strategically important Palma, which hosts numerous international companies looking to cash in on one of the biggest gas finds in a decade, had been hit with its first major strike.

Mozambique's forces had not repelled the attack as of Thursday morning and fighting was ongoing, according to the sources who are in touch with Mozambique&nbsp;government and security or military officials.

The sources declined to be named because it would jeopardise their work.

"The defence and security forces are pursuing the enemy to establish security and order quickly," the government said in a statement on Thursday, adding the attack, which began around 14:15 GMT on Wednesday in three locations, had sent residents fleeing into the bush for cover.

There was no immediate information on casualties or damage caused because communications with the town had been cut, it said.

Fighting around the Mozambique town of Palma, which is adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, entered a second day on Thursday, two security sources and a diplomat told Reuters.

Fighting around the Mozambique town of Palma, which is adjacent to gas projects worth $60 billion, entered a second day on Thursday, two security sources and a diplomat told Reuters. Mozambique's government confirmed that the town, in its northern-most province of Cabo Delgado and just kilometres from the perimeter of gas developments led by oil majors like Total, came under a three-pronged attack on Wednesday and security forces were working to establish order. Palma falls within a 25-kilometre "special security area" that the French oil major had requested from the government after suspending work at the site due to security issues. Total had just said on Wednesday, prior to the attack, that it would resume construction as this zone had been set up. The company had no immediate comment on the impact of the attack on its operations. Since 2017, the Cabo Delgado province has been home to a festering Islamist insurgency linked to Islamic State. Within a few hours of Total's announcement, strategically important Palma, which hosts numerous international companies looking to cash in on one of the biggest gas finds in a decade, had been hit with its first major strike. Mozambique's forces had not repelled the attack as of Thursday morning and fighting was ongoing, according to the sources who are in touch with Mozambique government and security or military officials. The sources declined to be named because it would jeopardise their work. "The defence and security forces are pursuing the enemy to establish security and order quickly," the government said in a statement on Thursday, adding the attack, which began around 14:15 GMT on Wednesday in three locations, had sent residents fleeing into the bush for cover. There was no immediate information on casualties or damage caused because communications with the town had been cut, it said.

Fighting in town near Mozambique gas hub continues for second day: Sources

Children as young as 11 are being beheaded in Mozambique, UK-based aid group Save the Children&nbsp;said on Tuesday, as part of an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced many more&nbsp;from their homes.&nbsp;

Save the Children&nbsp;said it had spoken to displaced families who described 'horrifying scenes' of murder, including mothers whose young sons were killed. In one case, the woman hid, helpless, with her three other children as her 12-year-old was murdered nearby.&nbsp;

"We tried to escape to the woods, but they took my eldest son and beheaded him," the 28-year-old, who Save the Children&nbsp;called Elsa, was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

"We couldn't do anything because we would be killed too."&nbsp;

Another mother, a 29-year-old Save the Children&nbsp;calls Amelia, said her son was just 11 when he was killed by armed men.&nbsp;

Reporters could not immediately reach Mozambique police or government spokespeople for comment.&nbsp;

Mozambique's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado has since 2017 been home to a festering insurgency, linked to Islamic State, that has escalated dramatically in the past year.&nbsp;

While beheadings have always been a hallmark of the attacks, throughout 2020 the insurgents began regularly engaging the military to capture and hold key towns. Brutality also continued, with mass killings including the murder of around 52 people at once in the village of&nbsp;Xitaxi&nbsp;in April.&nbsp;

Altogether almost 2,700 people on all sides have died in the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data Project (ACLED), a consultancy that tracks political violence. Almost 670,000 people have been displaced,&nbsp;'Save the Children'&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

The United States last week declared the Mozambique group a foreign terrorist&nbsp;organisation&nbsp;over its links to Islamic State, saying the group reportedly pledged allegiance to it as early as 2018. Islamic State claimed its first attack in Cabo Delgado in June 2019.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Children as young as 11 are being beheaded in Mozambique, UK-based aid group Save the Children said on Tuesday, as part of an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced many more from their homes.

Children as young as 11 are being beheaded in Mozambique, UK-based aid group Save the Children said on Tuesday, as part of an Islamist insurgency that has killed thousands and forced many more from their homes. Save the Children said it had spoken to displaced families who described 'horrifying scenes' of murder, including mothers whose young sons were killed. In one case, the woman hid, helpless, with her three other children as her 12-year-old was murdered nearby. "We tried to escape to the woods, but they took my eldest son and beheaded him," the 28-year-old, who Save the Children called Elsa, was quoted as saying. "We couldn't do anything because we would be killed too." Another mother, a 29-year-old Save the Children calls Amelia, said her son was just 11 when he was killed by armed men. Reporters could not immediately reach Mozambique police or government spokespeople for comment. Mozambique's northernmost province of Cabo Delgado has since 2017 been home to a festering insurgency, linked to Islamic State, that has escalated dramatically in the past year. While beheadings have always been a hallmark of the attacks, throughout 2020 the insurgents began regularly engaging the military to capture and hold key towns. Brutality also continued, with mass killings including the murder of around 52 people at once in the village of Xitaxi in April. Altogether almost 2,700 people on all sides have died in the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a consultancy that tracks political violence. Almost 670,000 people have been displaced, 'Save the Children' said. The United States last week declared the Mozambique group a foreign terrorist organisation over its links to Islamic State, saying the group reportedly pledged allegiance to it as early as 2018. Islamic State claimed its first attack in Cabo Delgado in June 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Mozambique militants beheading children as young as 11: Save the Children  

The United States on Wednesday blacklisted two Islamist extremist organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique over their connections with the Islamic State.&nbsp;

"The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) announced the launch of the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) in April 2019 to promote the presence of ISIS associated elements within Central, East, and Southern Africa," the State Department in a statement said.&nbsp;

"Although ISIS-associated media portray ISCAP as a unified structure, ISIS-DRC and ISIS-Mozambique are distinct groups with distinct origins."&nbsp;

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The state department said that the two groups "have committed or pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism."

It also named the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Congo and its leader Seka Musa Baluku and Mozambique's Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama and its chief Abu Yasir Hassan "specially designated global terrorists".

The ADF and Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama are dubbed by the US as ISIS-DRC and ISIS-Mozambique.

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The ADF, a Ugandan insurgent faction, has been involved in several brutal assaults on civilians since the army started operations against it in late 2019, reports news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

It has been blamed for the killing of more than 140 people in 2021, in about weekly attacks in Congo's restive east.&nbsp;

According to the UN, the ADF has killed approximate 850 people last year.&nbsp;

Laren Poole from the Bridgeway Foundation, a US-based thinktank said that the recognition and funding to the group by ISIS has pushed the group's deadly expansion.&nbsp;

Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama, called Al-Shabaab in Mozambique, staged its first attack in 2017.&nbsp;

Initially known largely for beheadings, the fighters declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2019 and have since intensified its operations.&nbsp;

The United States on Wednesday blacklisted two Islamist extremist organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique over their connections with the Islamic State.

The United States on Wednesday blacklisted two Islamist extremist organisations in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique over their connections with the Islamic State. "The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) announced the launch of the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP) in April 2019 to promote the presence of ISIS associated elements within Central, East, and Southern Africa," the State Department in a statement said. "Although ISIS-associated media portray ISCAP as a unified structure, ISIS-DRC and ISIS-Mozambique are distinct groups with distinct origins." Also read | US to blacklist dozens of Chinese firms including SMIC, report says The state department said that the two groups "have committed or pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism." It also named the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in Congo and its leader Seka Musa Baluku and Mozambique's Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama and its chief Abu Yasir Hassan "specially designated global terrorists". The ADF and Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama are dubbed by the US as ISIS-DRC and ISIS-Mozambique. Also read | Why global terror financing watchdog FATF should blacklist Pakistan The ADF, a Ugandan insurgent faction, has been involved in several brutal assaults on civilians since the army started operations against it in late 2019, reports news agency Reuters. It has been blamed for the killing of more than 140 people in 2021, in about weekly attacks in Congo's restive east. According to the UN, the ADF has killed approximate 850 people last year. Laren Poole from the Bridgeway Foundation, a US-based thinktank said that the recognition and funding to the group by ISIS has pushed the group's deadly expansion. Ahlu Sunnah Wa-Jama, called Al-Shabaab in Mozambique, staged its first attack in 2017. Initially known largely for beheadings, the fighters declared allegiance to Islamic State in 2019 and have since intensified its operations.

US blacklists two groups in Congo and Mozambique over connections with ISIS

A senior Mozambique general on Sunday denied a recent Amnesty International report accusing government forces, a private security company and militants of killing hundreds of civilians in the country's insurgency-hit northeast.

Jihadists have launched a string of attacks on towns and villages in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since a first assault in 2017.

The violence has left at least 2,600 people dead, around half of them civilians, according to the US-based NGO Armed Conflict Location&nbsp;and&nbsp;Event Data (ACLED).

Amnesty International this week said locals were "caught" between Mozambican security forces fighting the insurgents alongside private militia -- accusing all three parties of "war crimes" causing hundreds of civilian deaths.

The deputy head of the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces Bertolino Kapetine dismissed the allegations on Sunday.

"The report brings some untruths," Bertolino told journalists during a state-organised press trip to Cabo Delgado.

"Our mission is to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity and we cannot mistreat the community," he added, noting that the report had been written by "people who have never been here".

It is the first time an official has commented on the publication since its release on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Bertolino also denied Amnesty's claims that the government had hired a South African private military company to beef up its ranks after losing "a number of battles".

The army has been struggling to regain control of Cabo Delgado despite heavy deployments to the area.

Amnesty documented several gruesome killings by security forces, including summary executions of blindfolded villagers and the brutal shooting of a naked woman recorded on video.

The watchdog added that DAG mercenaries fired guns from helicopters and indiscriminately dropped hand grenades onto crowds.

The jihadists -- a shadowy group known locally as 'Al-Shabaab' -- are also accused of heinous acts of violence with machetes, including numerous beheadings and desecration of corpses.

DAG vowed to investigate the allegations earlier this week. 
&nbsp;

A senior Mozambique general on Sunday denied a recent Amnesty International report accusing government forces, a private security company and militants of killing hundreds of civilians in the country's insurgency-hit northeast.

A senior Mozambique general on Sunday denied a recent Amnesty International report accusing government forces, a private security company and militants of killing hundreds of civilians in the country's insurgency-hit northeast. Jihadists have launched a string of attacks on towns and villages in the gas-rich Cabo Delgado province since a first assault in 2017. The violence has left at least 2,600 people dead, around half of them civilians, according to the US-based NGO Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED). Amnesty International this week said locals were "caught" between Mozambican security forces fighting the insurgents alongside private militia -- accusing all three parties of "war crimes" causing hundreds of civilian deaths. The deputy head of the Mozambique Armed Defence Forces Bertolino Kapetine dismissed the allegations on Sunday. "The report brings some untruths," Bertolino told journalists during a state-organised press trip to Cabo Delgado. "Our mission is to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity and we cannot mistreat the community," he added, noting that the report had been written by "people who have never been here". It is the first time an official has commented on the publication since its release on Tuesday. Bertolino also denied Amnesty's claims that the government had hired a South African private military company to beef up its ranks after losing "a number of battles". The army has been struggling to regain control of Cabo Delgado despite heavy deployments to the area. Amnesty documented several gruesome killings by security forces, including summary executions of blindfolded villagers and the brutal shooting of a naked woman recorded on video. The watchdog added that DAG mercenaries fired guns from helicopters and indiscriminately dropped hand grenades onto crowds. The jihadists -- a shadowy group known locally as 'Al-Shabaab' -- are also accused of heinous acts of violence with machetes, including numerous beheadings and desecration of corpses. DAG vowed to investigate the allegations earlier this week.

Mozambique general denies Amnesty 'war crime' allegations

An increase in Islamic insurgency has led to the displacement of nearly 670,000 people in east Arica's Mozambique. Jihadist violence has been a major reason behind displacement at this level. Oil wells have become the source of conflict for which insurgency has been dragged for 3 years.

Africa: Islamic insurgency led displacement of over 670,000 people

A cholera outbreak has killed 55 people affected by a jihadist violence since the end of last year in northern Mozambique, UNICEF said Wednesday.

Nearly 5,000 cases of cholera have been reported, especially among hundreds of thousands of civilians living with host families and in makeshift accommodation in camps for internally displaced people.&nbsp;

Last week saw the highest jump of more than new 400 cases, UNICEF spokesman Daniel Timme told AFP.

"It doesn't look good. The water and sanitation facilities are not sufficient at the moment and need urgent upgrades," he said.

"This is our absolute priority for now because the survivors of this violence now have the threat of water-borne diseases," he added.

Nearly 670,000 people have been uprooted since shadowy jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State group began to wreak havoc in Mozambique's gas-rich but impoverished Cabo Delgado province in 2017.

One in 10 of those displaced have moved in with host families, according to Timme, with some families taking in up to 40 people.

The government has now started to resettle the displaced people in newly created villages in safe areas.

A cholera outbreak has killed 55 people affected by a jihadist violence since the end of last year in northern Mozambique, UNICEF said Wednesday. Nearly 5,000 cases of cholera have been reported, especially among hundreds of thousands of civilians living with host families and in makeshift accommodation in camps for internally displaced people.

A cholera outbreak has killed 55 people affected by a jihadist violence since the end of last year in northern Mozambique, UNICEF said Wednesday. Nearly 5,000 cases of cholera have been reported, especially among hundreds of thousands of civilians living with host families and in makeshift accommodation in camps for internally displaced people. Last week saw the highest jump of more than new 400 cases, UNICEF spokesman Daniel Timme told AFP. "It doesn't look good. The water and sanitation facilities are not sufficient at the moment and need urgent upgrades," he said. "This is our absolute priority for now because the survivors of this violence now have the threat of water-borne diseases," he added. Nearly 670,000 people have been uprooted since shadowy jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State group began to wreak havoc in Mozambique's gas-rich but impoverished Cabo Delgado province in 2017. One in 10 of those displaced have moved in with host families, according to Timme, with some families taking in up to 40 people. The government has now started to resettle the displaced people in newly created villages in safe areas.

Cholera kills 55 people in northern Mozambique

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief on Sunday urged aid organisations to loosen their purse strings to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, reeling from relentless jihadist attacks.

Peter Maurer made the call following a visit to Pemba, capital of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have sought shelter after fleeing the extremist violence.

Mozambique is battling to contain an Islamist fundamentalist insurgency which started in October 2017, and has claimed more than 2,500 lives and displaced more than 570,000 people.

He told AFP that the international community needs to "look more generously at supporting Mozambique in the present situation".&nbsp;

"It's obvious there are big needs," Maurer said in an interview shortly before flying out of Pemba following a one-day visit.&nbsp;

"This is a country which has a lot of other needs and on top of it, it gets violence and Covid."

Shadowy jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State group have wreaked havoc in the gas-rich but impoverished province.

Their attacks surged last year, triggering a humanitarian crisis similar to the one caused by Mozambique's 1977-92 civil war.

Yet recent data collected by the US conflict tracker ACLED tentatively suggest the assaults have waned since January under intensified government military ground and air operations.

While the ICRC chief believed that it may be "very early" for &nbsp;people to start returning to their homes, he said: "I don't want to discourage anybody. ICRC is not the best judge on the security situation."

However, he added: "This is not yet a stable situation."

Maurer urged local authorities to assess the security situation and come up with "durable" solutions for the displaced people.

To have "hundreds of thousands of people displaced... in provisional settlements (or) living with local communities" is not sustainable, he said.

Tens of thousands of internally displaced people are sheltering in camps in and around Pemba, while many others have moved in with host families, which Maurer applauded.

"I (saw) the solidarity, the receptiveness, the understanding of host communities, I was very impressed," he said, adding that by contrast in Europe, a sudden influx of refugees somewhere often "turns into a political drama".

Maurer is scheduled to hold talks with President Filipe Nyusi and cabinet ministers in the Mozambique capital Maputo on Monday.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief on Sunday urged aid organisations to loosen their purse strings to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, reeling from relentless jihadist attacks.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) chief on Sunday urged aid organisations to loosen their purse strings to help tackle a humanitarian crisis in northern Mozambique, reeling from relentless jihadist attacks. Peter Maurer made the call following a visit to Pemba, capital of the northern province of Cabo Delgado, where hundreds of thousands of civilians have sought shelter after fleeing the extremist violence. Mozambique is battling to contain an Islamist fundamentalist insurgency which started in October 2017, and has claimed more than 2,500 lives and displaced more than 570,000 people. He told AFP that the international community needs to "look more generously at supporting Mozambique in the present situation". "It's obvious there are big needs," Maurer said in an interview shortly before flying out of Pemba following a one-day visit. "This is a country which has a lot of other needs and on top of it, it gets violence and Covid." Shadowy jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State group have wreaked havoc in the gas-rich but impoverished province. Their attacks surged last year, triggering a humanitarian crisis similar to the one caused by Mozambique's 1977-92 civil war. Yet recent data collected by the US conflict tracker ACLED tentatively suggest the assaults have waned since January under intensified government military ground and air operations. While the ICRC chief believed that it may be "very early" for people to start returning to their homes, he said: "I don't want to discourage anybody. ICRC is not the best judge on the security situation." However, he added: "This is not yet a stable situation." Maurer urged local authorities to assess the security situation and come up with "durable" solutions for the displaced people. To have "hundreds of thousands of people displaced... in provisional settlements (or) living with local communities" is not sustainable, he said. Tens of thousands of internally displaced people are sheltering in camps in and around Pemba, while many others have moved in with host families, which Maurer applauded. "I (saw) the solidarity, the receptiveness, the understanding of host communities, I was very impressed," he said, adding that by contrast in Europe, a sudden influx of refugees somewhere often "turns into a political drama". Maurer is scheduled to hold talks with President Filipe Nyusi and cabinet ministers in the Mozambique capital Maputo on Monday.

ICRC chief urges more humanitarian aid for northern Mozambique

Cyclone Eloise made landfall in the African state of Mozambique but it has caused mild damage and has been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Cyclone makes landfall in Mozambique but caused less damage than feared

The coastal city of Beira in Mozambique, which houses one of the country`s most important ports, has seen mild damage to property and flooding after tropical cyclone Eloise made landfall early on Saturday, an official said in a television report.

The cyclone has since lost its strength and has been downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

"Beira had mild damage, but is too early to quantify the extent and scale of destruction," Luisa Meque, President of Mozambique`s National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), said in a television interview with national broadcaster TVM.

The South African weather department said Eloise made landfall around 2:30 a.m. in the morning with wind speeds of 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph).

Cars were submerged in water, walls of some low lying buildings collapsed and swathes of land were flooded in Beira, posts on Twitter showed.

Beira was the epicentre of damage from cyclone Idai in March 2019, which ravaged the country`s second biggest city and killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) said Sofala province, which includes Beira, had seen 200 mm (8 inches) of rainfall and was likely to see another 100 mm of rain over the next 24 hours, the television channel reported.

Power supplies were shut down as the cyclone damaged power lines and uprooted some electricity poles, power utility EDM said, local digital news media A Carta reported.

"The cyclone is still in the territory of Mozambique and should make an exit at 8 p.m. today," Gorkhmaz Huseynov, head of the Mozambique delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross, told Reuters.

WMO late Friday had upgraded the storm, fuelled by the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique channel, to a tropical cyclone with strength equivalent to a Category Two storm.

Category Two strength - on a five-level scale - refers to hurricanes with maximum wind speeds of 154-177 kph.

"By tomorrow, it will be an overland tropical depression. At that time the speed will be 60 kph," Mbazhi Maliage, a forecaster at the South African Weather Service, told Reuters.

The weather department said on its official Twitter handle that more than 200mm of rainfall was expected from Saturday night to Monday in some parts of South Africa`s Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal provinces and in the southern African kingdom of eSwatini.

The coastal city of Beira in Mozambique, which houses one of the country`s most important ports, has seen mild damage to property and flooding after tropical cyclone Eloise made landfall early on Saturday, an official said in a television report.

The coastal city of Beira in Mozambique, which houses one of the country`s most important ports, has seen mild damage to property and flooding after tropical cyclone Eloise made landfall early on Saturday, an official said in a television report. The cyclone has since lost its strength and has been downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO). "Beira had mild damage, but is too early to quantify the extent and scale of destruction," Luisa Meque, President of Mozambique`s National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD), said in a television interview with national broadcaster TVM. The South African weather department said Eloise made landfall around 2:30 a.m. in the morning with wind speeds of 160 kilometres per hour (99 mph). Cars were submerged in water, walls of some low lying buildings collapsed and swathes of land were flooded in Beira, posts on Twitter showed. Beira was the epicentre of damage from cyclone Idai in March 2019, which ravaged the country`s second biggest city and killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Mozambique National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) said Sofala province, which includes Beira, had seen 200 mm (8 inches) of rainfall and was likely to see another 100 mm of rain over the next 24 hours, the television channel reported. Power supplies were shut down as the cyclone damaged power lines and uprooted some electricity poles, power utility EDM said, local digital news media A Carta reported. "The cyclone is still in the territory of Mozambique and should make an exit at 8 p.m. today," Gorkhmaz Huseynov, head of the Mozambique delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross, told Reuters. WMO late Friday had upgraded the storm, fuelled by the warm Indian Ocean waters of the Mozambique channel, to a tropical cyclone with strength equivalent to a Category Two storm. Category Two strength - on a five-level scale - refers to hurricanes with maximum wind speeds of 154-177 kph. "By tomorrow, it will be an overland tropical depression. At that time the speed will be 60 kph," Mbazhi Maliage, a forecaster at the South African Weather Service, told Reuters. The weather department said on its official Twitter handle that more than 200mm of rainfall was expected from Saturday night to Monday in some parts of South Africa`s Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal provinces and in the southern African kingdom of eSwatini.

Cyclone hits Mozambique port city, brings property damage, flooding

A powerful storm approaching Mozambique is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone on Friday, the United Nations` humanitarian agency OCHA said, bringing heavy winds and rains to a region devastated by Cyclone Idai nearly two years ago.

Tropical storm Eloise is currently over the Mozambique channel and is expected to slam into the country`s central region on Saturday, hitting the port city of Beira and surrounding areas, which bore the brunt of Idai in March 2019.

"There are growing concerns regarding the potential for widespread floods, with all river basins in Sofala and Inhambane provinces already above alert levels and more rains to follow in the coming days," the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, referring to two central provinces in the storm`s path.

Mozambique`s National Meteorological Institute (INAM) said the storm had the potential to develop into a category three cyclone, forecasting maximum wind speeds of up to 140 km/h and the chance of as much as 200 millimetres of rain in 24 hours.

According to the International Organisation of Migration, there are some 93,418 displaced people in Mozambique`s central region, the vast majority forced from their homes by Cyclone Idai and others displaced by more recent storms and floods.

Idai killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with Mozambique the worst affected.

Many residents criticised the government at the time for not doing more to protect them from one of the most severe storms to hit Africa`s east coast in more than a decade.

This time, some people in Buzi -- a district outside of Beira that was among the worst-affected by Idai -- have been evacuated to temporary shelters in primary schools, OCHA said, citing local news reports.

Search and rescue operations are under way to reach some 400 families along the Buzi river and in some interior villages after intense rainfall, it added.

After making landfall in Mozambique, tropical storm Eloise is forecast to travel inland to southern Zimbabwe, eastern South Africa and far eastern Botswana. While it will lose strength as it travels, it is expected to continue to dump rain.

A powerful storm approaching Mozambique is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone on Friday, the United Nations` humanitarian agency OCHA said, bringing heavy winds and rains to a region devastated by Cyclone Idai nearly two years ago.

A powerful storm approaching Mozambique is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone on Friday, the United Nations` humanitarian agency OCHA said, bringing heavy winds and rains to a region devastated by Cyclone Idai nearly two years ago. Tropical storm Eloise is currently over the Mozambique channel and is expected to slam into the country`s central region on Saturday, hitting the port city of Beira and surrounding areas, which bore the brunt of Idai in March 2019. "There are growing concerns regarding the potential for widespread floods, with all river basins in Sofala and Inhambane provinces already above alert levels and more rains to follow in the coming days," the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, referring to two central provinces in the storm`s path. Mozambique`s National Meteorological Institute (INAM) said the storm had the potential to develop into a category three cyclone, forecasting maximum wind speeds of up to 140 km/h and the chance of as much as 200 millimetres of rain in 24 hours. According to the International Organisation of Migration, there are some 93,418 displaced people in Mozambique`s central region, the vast majority forced from their homes by Cyclone Idai and others displaced by more recent storms and floods. Idai killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe, with Mozambique the worst affected. Many residents criticised the government at the time for not doing more to protect them from one of the most severe storms to hit Africa`s east coast in more than a decade. This time, some people in Buzi -- a district outside of Beira that was among the worst-affected by Idai -- have been evacuated to temporary shelters in primary schools, OCHA said, citing local news reports. Search and rescue operations are under way to reach some 400 families along the Buzi river and in some interior villages after intense rainfall, it added. After making landfall in Mozambique, tropical storm Eloise is forecast to travel inland to southern Zimbabwe, eastern South Africa and far eastern Botswana. While it will lose strength as it travels, it is expected to continue to dump rain.

Another storm, growing stronger, set to hit central Mozambique

Islamist militants in Mozambique killed two dozen soldiers in an ambush attack, military sources told AFP, a significant show of force against the military's struggle to quell an insurgency in the north.

A shadowy jihadist group has wreaked havoc in the northern Cabo Delgado region since 2017, targeting villages and towns in a bid to establish an Islamist caliphate.

The insurgents grew bolder this year and took control of large swathes of territory which the army has so far failed to regain.

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Militants ambushed a group of soldiers driving through the district of Muidumbe on Sunday and opened fire on the group, killing at least 25.

Two military sources only confirmed the attack in recent days on condition of anonymity.

"The terrorists let the military cars into an area of dense forest and then opened fire with heavy weapons... causing huge casualties in our forces," a senior military official told AFP on Thursday in the capital Maputo.

"We had 25 men killed and dozens more injured," he said, adding that the attackers retreated back into the forest after the assault.

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A second military official confirmed the ambush on Friday and said that attacks with that high a number of casualties have become more common.&nbsp;

"It is strange how the terrorists have accurate information about the movement of the government forces," said the official, who is based the Cabo Delgado district of Palma.&nbsp;

"Attacks like this... profoundly affect the morale of the troops," he said.

It has become increasingly difficult to communicate with Cabo Delgado as militants have destroyed several telephone lines.

Mozambique's government is also wary of bad publicity and sources are reluctant to speak to the media.

The army is still fighting to retake the key port town of Mocimboa da Praia, which the insurgents seized in August.

The town is around 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of multi-billion-dollar gas exploration projects off the Afungi peninsula.

Details about the militants are sketchy. They call themselves Al-Shabab but have no known link to the group of that name operating in Somalia.&nbsp;

Last year, they pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

At least 10 of Cabo Delgado's 17 districts have been affected by the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location &amp; Event Data (ACLED) group, despite a beefed-up military presence in the area.&nbsp;

ACLED has also documented more than 2,300 deaths, at least half of them civilians.

Mozambique's government estimates that more than 500,000 people have been displaced by the unrest.&nbsp;

The United States this week vowed to help the southeast African country tackle the insurgency and called for more international cooperation to end the violence.

Islamist militants in Mozambique killed two dozen soldiers in an ambush attack, military sources told AFP, a significant show of force against the military's struggle to quell an insurgency in the north.

Islamist militants in Mozambique killed two dozen soldiers in an ambush attack, military sources told AFP, a significant show of force against the military's struggle to quell an insurgency in the north. A shadowy jihadist group has wreaked havoc in the northern Cabo Delgado region since 2017, targeting villages and towns in a bid to establish an Islamist caliphate. The insurgents grew bolder this year and took control of large swathes of territory which the army has so far failed to regain. Also read| Rockets target Eritrea as Ethiopia leader resists calls for dialogue Militants ambushed a group of soldiers driving through the district of Muidumbe on Sunday and opened fire on the group, killing at least 25. Two military sources only confirmed the attack in recent days on condition of anonymity. "The terrorists let the military cars into an area of dense forest and then opened fire with heavy weapons... causing huge casualties in our forces," a senior military official told AFP on Thursday in the capital Maputo. "We had 25 men killed and dozens more injured," he said, adding that the attackers retreated back into the forest after the assault. Also read| Ethiopian PM tells African envoys he will protect civilians in Tigray A second military official confirmed the ambush on Friday and said that attacks with that high a number of casualties have become more common. "It is strange how the terrorists have accurate information about the movement of the government forces," said the official, who is based the Cabo Delgado district of Palma. "Attacks like this... profoundly affect the morale of the troops," he said. It has become increasingly difficult to communicate with Cabo Delgado as militants have destroyed several telephone lines. Mozambique's government is also wary of bad publicity and sources are reluctant to speak to the media. The army is still fighting to retake the key port town of Mocimboa da Praia, which the insurgents seized in August. The town is around 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of multi-billion-dollar gas exploration projects off the Afungi peninsula. Details about the militants are sketchy. They call themselves Al-Shabab but have no known link to the group of that name operating in Somalia. Last year, they pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. At least 10 of Cabo Delgado's 17 districts have been affected by the violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) group, despite a beefed-up military presence in the area. ACLED has also documented more than 2,300 deaths, at least half of them civilians. Mozambique's government estimates that more than 500,000 people have been displaced by the unrest. The United States this week vowed to help the southeast African country tackle the insurgency and called for more international cooperation to end the violence.

Jihadists kill 25 soldiers in Mozambique's restive north

Tanzanian police have said that about 300 jihadists launched a cross-border attack from Mozambique last week, confirming an earlier claim by the Islamic State group.&nbsp;

"It's true that about 300 terrorists from Mozambique attacked our station at Kitaya in (southern) Mtwara last week and killed some people," said police chief Simon Sirro in a videotaped press conference viewed by AFP Thursday.

Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), affiliated with the Islamic State group, last week claimed it had mounted an attack in Mtwara, near the Mozambican border, on October 14.

The group has carried out a wave of attacks in Mozambique since 2017, killing more than 1,500 people and displacing 250,000, according to conflict data provider ACLED.&nbsp;

Tanzania is set to hold a presidential election on October 28.

Tanzanian police have said that about 300 jihadists launched a cross-border attack from Mozambique last week, confirming an earlier claim by the Islamic State group.

Tanzanian police have said that about 300 jihadists launched a cross-border attack from Mozambique last week, confirming an earlier claim by the Islamic State group. "It's true that about 300 terrorists from Mozambique attacked our station at Kitaya in (southern) Mtwara last week and killed some people," said police chief Simon Sirro in a videotaped press conference viewed by AFP Thursday. Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP), affiliated with the Islamic State group, last week claimed it had mounted an attack in Mtwara, near the Mozambican border, on October 14. The group has carried out a wave of attacks in Mozambique since 2017, killing more than 1,500 people and displacing 250,000, according to conflict data provider ACLED. Tanzania is set to hold a presidential election on October 28.

Tanzania hit by recent IS attack near Mozambique border: police

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