Jihadist Insurgents Attack Hotel in Mozambique, South Africans Possibly at Risk
- Islamist jihadists have launched an attack on the town of Palma in Mozambique
- The town is the site of a massive R899 billion gas project in which many foreign nationals are working
- South African citizens are among those feared missing or dead in the attack
PAY ATTENTION: Join Briefly News' Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
Islamic militants have attacked a hotel in northern Mozambique and a number of people have lost their lives.
17 vehicles carrying foreign contractors fled the hotel and the convoy was ambushed en route, only 7 of the vehicles escaped according to The Times.
The situation on the ground is very chaotic and at the moment it is impossible to get any accurate numbers but many people are feared dead or captured.
Source: Twitter
The town of Palma has become a warzone as jihadist insurgents have launched an attack and South African private security company Dyck Advisory Group (DAG) had been keeping the militants at bay with attack helicopters but they had to withdraw due to low fuel.
When night fell the hotel was vulnerable and a South African led an escape attempt with the 17 vehicles according to The Daily Maverick.
The town, in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, is home to gas project worth R899 billion. A French oil company, Total, has suspended its operations and requested aid from the government due to security threats.
A 25 kilometre "green zone" was created earlier in the week but the attacks have escalated and nearly 200 foreign nationals were forced to flee.
100 militants launched a multi-pronged attack in which government forces suffered heavy losses.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that United States President Joe Biden has made history by nominating Lloyd Austin, a retired four-star army general to be his Defense Secretary as he continues to organise his administration ahead of his swearing-in ceremony in January 2021
Austin will in the process become the first African-American to head the pentagon with over 2.2 million service members, making it the largest employer in the world.
Biden confirmed the news on his Twitter page on Tuesday, December 8, saying his nominee understood how to handle terrorism threats well.
"I know General Austin. I trust him. Because I know how he reacts under pressure. When ISIS emerged as a terrorist threat, President Obama and I turned to General Austin in the Situation Room and he led us through. Now, I turn to him again as Secretary of Defense.
Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!
Source: Briefly News
