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Mozambique attacks: 'Insurgents have the upper hand'

There has been a brutal conflict in the northern Cabo Delgado province of Mozambique for the last three years, between the government and Muslim insurgents. The insurgents are thought to have loose ties to the so-called Islamic State group. The fighting has left more than 2,500 people dead and 700,000 displaced since the insurgency began in 2017.
In the last few days, hundreds of people, including foreign workers, have fled an Islamist advance, reaching safety in the port of Pemba after being rescued by ships and boats. Private security firm The Dyck Advisory Group has been hired by the government to help fight the militants.

Lionel Dyck, who runs the group, told Newshour: "[The insurgants] have the initiative at the present time, and until we have sufficient troops to clear them out of the houses of Parma, they will remain in control."

Photo: People in Pemba await the arrival of ships from Palma district with people fleeing attacks by rebel groups 29 March 2021 Credit: EPA

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