Palma turning into a ghost city after ISIS capture

Ahmed Adel

Palma City in northern Mozambique has turned into a ghost city after the escape of thousands of its residents from it, following its capture by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The terrorist organization overran the coastal city a few days ago, following clashes that left a large number of people, including civilians, dead.

The clashes also left a large number of civilians injured and forced thousands of the city’s residents to flee it.

Palma is located only 10 kilometers away from a major gas field operated by the French Total Group. Production from the field is expected to go online in 2024.

Militants, who had previously sworn allegiance to ISIS, attacked the city from three sides. The same militants have been stepping up their violent activities in Cabo Delgado province which is close to Mozambique’s joint border with Tanzania.

The government of Mozambique said police had killed seven militants, including one from South Africa, when they raided a hotel where they were hiding.

Boats carrying Palma residents continue to arrive at the coast of Pemba, another coastal city in Capo Delgado.

Humanitarian aid organizations estimate the number of people who fled the city since ISIS overran it at between 6,000 and 10,000.

Some foreign workers and locals have sought hiding inside a heavily-guarded gas station in an island 6 kilometers away from Palma, on the Indian Ocean coast.

Humanitarian aid organizations are expected to hold emergency talks to coordinate their response to the crisis in the city soon.