MOZAMBIQUE’S PALMA DESTROYED AMID ARMY’S EFFORTS TO REGAIN CONTROL OVER TOWN

Mon 05 March 2021:

Mozambique’s gas-rich town of Palma has been destroyed and residents cannot return to normal life, Julia Wachave, a member of women’s rights group Muleide, told Sputnik on Monday.

On Friday, Pemba police chief told Sputnik that the militants had left the town and it has returned under the control of the country’s armed forces. He claimed that the government believed there was no risk that the group of insurgents that had attacked Palma would attack other towns.

“No, life is not normal in Palma. The town has been destroyed. People are still being sent to [neighboring city] Pemba,” Julia Wachave said.

On Monday, media reported citing local defense officials, that the area was declared “safe” by the army on Sunday, and a significant number of terrorists were killed.

“Total workers have been evacuated and its unlivable in Pemba,” Wachave noted.

On March 24, an attack by militants had left several dozen people dead and over 9,000 displaced in the 75,000-resident town. Majority of the survivors have been relocated to the provincial capital of Pemba. The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

-FILE PHOTO