Maputo – Attack by suspected jihadists has left dozens dead since last Wednesday in Palma, northeastern Mozambique, the government has said.
"Last Wednesday, a group of terrorists raided Palma and launched attack that resulted in the cowardly murder of dozens of defenseless people," said Defence Ministry spokesman Omar Saranga.
According to authorities, seven people died in an ambush when security forces were trying to evacuate about 200 people who had taken refuge in a hotel.
The port city of Palma is about 10 kilometers from a gas complex belonging to the French group Total and fell into the hands of the rebels on Friday night after more than 48 hours of fighting.
Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that the terrorists fired "at people and buildings", leaving many bodies on the streets of the city with 75,000 inhabitants.
