ISIS storm brewing on Mozambique's coast
Posted : 2021-04-12 17:10
By John J. Metzler
Storm clouds are gathering along Mozambique's northern coast. Islamic State militants launched a coordinated and deadly assault on the town of Palma, nearby a multi-billion dollar natural gas complex being built by France's Total energy. The recent attack underscores escalating violence against civilians and foreign workers and has triggered insecurity leading to considerable population flight from the region.
The script seems right out of the classic Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) playbook with brutal ritualistic beheadings and burned villages adding to near theatrical intimidation. Among at least 55 people killed in Palma were local civilians, foreign contractors and government troops. The three-pronged attack by hundreds of jihadi fighters underscored the expanding insurgency as well as the tactical capacity of the terrorists.