Battle of Palma

The Battle of Palma is an ongoing battle over control of the city of Palma in Mozambique, between the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces, other Mozambican security forces and private military companies, and Islamist terrorists reportedly associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Battle of Palma
Part of the insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Date24 March 2021 – present
(3 years, 5 months, 1 week and 5 days)
Location
10°46′32″S 40°28′22″E / 10.77556°S 40.47278°E / -10.77556; 40.47278Coordinates: 10°46′32″S 40°28′22″E / 10.77556°S 40.47278°E / -10.77556; 40.47278
Status Ongoing
Belligerents
 Mozambique Islamic State flag.svg Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
Commanders and leaders
Unidentified Mozambican commander(s)
Lionel Dyck (DAG)[1]
Unknown
Units involved

Mozambican security forces

Private military companies

Control Risks (support role)
Ansar al-Sunna[3]
Islamic State's Central Africa Province (IS-CAP)[4]
Strength
FADM:
Unknown infantry
Mil Mi-24 and Mil Mi-17 helicopters
DAG:
3 Aérospatiale Gazelle, 2 Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil and one Aérospatiale Alouette III light helicopters[5]
300+
Casualties and losses
21+ killed (Pinnacle News)[6]
1 helicopter damaged or shot down
Unknown
100+ civilians killed and 35,000 displaced

References

  1. Christina Goldbaum; Eric Schmitt; Declan Walsh (28 March 2021). "As Militants Seize Mozambique Gas Hub, a Dash for Safety Turns Deadly". New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  2. Peter Beaumont (29 March 2021). "'Total chaos': survivors tell of insurgent attack in Mozambique". Guardian. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  3. Andrew Harding (13 March 2021). "Hungry, angry and fleeing the horrors of war in northern Mozambique". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  4. Carien du Plessis (24 March 2021). "Fresh attacks in Mozambique as SA military company's contract comes to an end". news24. Archived from the original on 27 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
  5. "Mozambique: Le fondateur de Dyck Advisory Group revient sur l'engagement de la SMP".
  6. Several South Africans feared dead in attacks on Mozambique gas project, 27 March 2021