Cabo Ligado 39

On 22 February, insurgents conducted two attacks along the border between Nangade and Mocimboa da Praia districts. The first, a morning attack, took place at Ingalonga, Nangade district. Insurgents beheaded two people there. Later that day, across the border in Mitope, Mocimboa da Praia district, insurgents captured three women and three men who had been working in their fields. One woman was released, and the three men were beheaded. Local militias deployed to the area in response, but no clashes were reported. Three days later insurgents struck closer to the Nangade district capital, attacking the village of Luneque, which is only 10 kilometers from Nangade town. The attackers killed four civilians in the town, and caused many others to flee to the district capital. On the evening of 26 February, insurgents surprised residents of Quirinde, Palma district as they ate dinner. Residents fled, but insurgents killed seven, three of whom were beheaded. Insurgents also destroyed homes and looted food and other goods. Quirinde is a coastal village north of Palma town, about six kilometers east of Quionga, which insurgents attacked on 19 February. One source reports that helicopters belonging to government forces or government contractors pursued the Quirinde attackers, causing an indeterminate number of casualties. According to Pinnacle News, the government has deployed two battalions of the police Rapid Intervention Unit to the area in an attempt to prevent further insurgent attacks on the route between Palma and the Tanzanian border.