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Mozambique jihadists seize key town in Cabo Delgado | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Islamist insurgents have seized control of a key town in northern Mozambique, close to where foreign companies are working on a $60bn (£52bn) natural gas project. | Islamist insurgents have seized control of a key town in northern Mozambique, close to where foreign companies are working on a $60bn (£52bn) natural gas project. |
The militants staged an overnight attack on Mocimboa de Praia, taking a military base and raising their flag, police said. | The militants staged an overnight attack on Mocimboa de Praia, taking a military base and raising their flag, police said. |
The army and police have launched a counter-offensive, police added. | The army and police have launched a counter-offensive, police added. |
This is the first time Mozambican jihadists have attacked a major town. | This is the first time Mozambican jihadists have attacked a major town. |
They usually attack villages and farms. | They usually attack villages and farms. |
Panicked residents said the fighters had blocked all exit routes, and they could not leave the town. | Panicked residents said the fighters had blocked all exit routes, and they could not leave the town. |
"They are taking residents to the mosque and locking them there," the privately owned Moz24h website quoted a resident as saying. | "They are taking residents to the mosque and locking them there," the privately owned Moz24h website quoted a resident as saying. |
Hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced during the three-year insurgency in Cabo Delgado. | Hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced during the three-year insurgency in Cabo Delgado. |
The government has battled to curb the insurgency, despite support from a Russian military company. | The government has battled to curb the insurgency, despite support from a Russian military company. |
The militants call themselves al-Shabab although it is unclear whether they are linked to the significantly larger Somali movement of the same name. | The militants call themselves al-Shabab although it is unclear whether they are linked to the significantly larger Somali movement of the same name. |
Cabo Delgado is one of Mozambique's poorest regions, but it is rich in untapped mineral resources. | Cabo Delgado is one of Mozambique's poorest regions, but it is rich in untapped mineral resources. |
In 2010, Mozambique discovered huge gas reserves in Rovuma Basin, off the Indian Ocean coast of Cabo Delgado. | In 2010, Mozambique discovered huge gas reserves in Rovuma Basin, off the Indian Ocean coast of Cabo Delgado. |
Last October, ExxonMobil unveiled plans to invest more than $500m in the initial construction phase of its gas project in the region. | Last October, ExxonMobil unveiled plans to invest more than $500m in the initial construction phase of its gas project in the region. |
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