Attack in Mozambique, save the Italians present at the siege of Palma

There were also Italians in Palma, when the jihadists of Ahlu al-Sunna Wal Jamaa (al-Shabaab) attacked the Amarula Lodge where about 200 expats, foreign civilians operating in Mozambique, had taken refuge.

Fortunately our compatriots managed to escape to safety. First at camp Bonatti, which is located near the hotel and which also seems to have suffered an attack. Then, they would be transferred to the Total base, about fifteen kilometers from the city. This is because the structure is impenetrable and is defended by French guards and military. According to local sources, in fact, it would also be manned by operators of the Foreign Legion. Not surprisingly, Italian diplomatic sources have confirmed to Repubblica that at the moment there are no compatriots killed or held hostage by militiamen affiliated with the Islamic State. The Italians along with the other foreign workers were then evacuated by boats and helicopters from the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant on the Afungi peninsula to the capital of Cabo Delgado, Pemba. The center is above all safer and more supervised. In addition, it hosts an international airport that will allow “expats” to return home without having to travel to Maputo. Among them, however, there are the same “non-essential” employees of Total, which has again decided to freeze the activities of the structure for safety reasons.

The situation in the area, in fact, is far from resolved and dozens of foreigners are missing, missing since the attack. There is no news of eight of the 17 vehicles that allegedly tried to escape from the hotel when the terrorists ambushed the convoy. There is talk of about fifty people. Seven vehicles managed to escape and at least one was destroyed during the attack. In addition, many have escaped on foot into the bush. Some of them were found, tired and frightened but in good health. Others, however, have lost track.

Meanwhile, for the first time in days after the attack, official news arrives from the Maputo authorities. Omar Saranga, spokesman for the Armed Forces of Mozambique, said in a televised statement that there are dozens of deaths between locals and foreigners, although he did not want to provide details on the nationality of the victims. He confined himself only to confirming that seven people belonging to the attacked convoy were killed. The spokeperson added that the lodge has been completely evacuated and that operations are underway to eliminate the jihadists in the area. However, there is no mention of why the rescue operations took place only at the last minute. This, despite the fact that the presence of foreigners at Amarula had been known to everyone for days, so much so that a photo had appeared on social media with a large SOS made of sheets and placed in the hotel courtyard. Likewise, it was known that al-Shabaab was putting Palma to fire and sword and that the group had no intention of stopping.

Confirming that this is not an isolated episode, but part of an organized strategy, the Islamic State has formally announced that it has control of Palma.