Maputo, 13 May (AIM) – Islamist terrorists in the northern Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado launched their first significant naval operation on Saturday, when two speedboats approached a Russian oceanographic vessel off Tambuzi island, near the town of Mocimboa da Praia.
According to a report in the independent daily electronic paper, the “Mozambique Times”, the attack occurred at around 15.20, some four nautical miles east of the island. According to unnamed security sources cited by the paper, the speedboats opened fire on the Russian vessel, the “Atlantida K-1704”, which escaped by fleeing to deeper waters further from the coast.
At about 16.00, a distress signal, presumably from the Russian vessel, was picked up. Although the transmission was weak, the words “pirate” and “attack” could be heard, confirming a serious incident. At 16.45, the “Atlantida K-1704” contacted a nearby ship to alert it to the presence of the attackers, and their exact location.
This is the first time the terrorists have been known to attack a foreign flagged vessel. Previously the terrorist activities at sea have been restricted to attacking fishing boats and kidnapping fishermen. The Mozambican authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
The attack on the Russian vessel coincided with a terrorist raid in Muidumbe district, where the raiders claimed to have killed 11 soldiers of the Mozambican armed forces (FADM).
Also on Saturday, the Chief of Staff of the FADM, Gen Julio Jane, held a meeting with Maj-Gen Emmy Ruvusha, the commander of the Rwandan forces in Cabo Delgado. According to the “Mozambique Times” report, the meeting “focused on joint operational strategies in response to the surge in attacks”.
This was Jane’s first encounter with the Rwandan military leadership since he was appointed Chief of the FADM General Staff.
(AIM)
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