Palma in Moz gets attacked

[Fuzzy Muzzy]

I've been through Palma on my bike about 10 years ago, it was a pleasure to ride around the area meeting locals. its almost surreal to read this story

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-24-armed-groups-attack-mozambique-town-closest-to-gas-projects-sources/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=First%20Thing%20Thursday%2025%20March%202021%20HBS&utm_content=First%20Thing%20Thursday%2025%20March%202021%20HBS+CID_2251c0872cc187e1dcecbf7df295542a&utm_source=TouchBasePro&utm_term=Insurgents%20attack%20Mozambican%20town

[dookie]

I've been through Palma on my bike about 10 years ago, it was a pleasure to ride around the area meeting locals. its almost surreal to read this story

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-24-armed-groups-attack-mozambique-town-closest-to-gas-projects-sources/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=First%20Thing%20Thursday%2025%20March%202021%20HBS&utm_content=First%20Thing%20Thursday%2025%20March%202021%20HBS+CID_2251c0872cc187e1dcecbf7df295542a&utm_source=TouchBasePro&utm_term=Insurgents%20attack%20Mozambican%20town

Saw this, as well.
Had to extract my guys from Nacala (680km away)

[Motties]

We are doing work at the Total site in Palma/ Afungi and it has been challenging to say the least, had to extract personnel with a chopper last year. We are due back on site in the short term.

[threeper]

im confused, isnt it the religion of peace?

i bet the wombles that think that, also think biden is competent and china didnt cause covid.

[frankmac]

This is from a mate.

Bearing in mind that DAG's contract is up, it may be a tad overstated but I'm inclined to believe most of it. Apparently there were 4 SA "gunships".

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2021-03-25/fighting-in-town-near-mozambique-gas-hub-rages-for-second-day

The true story ....

From the actual engagement .... The Interesting thing is the South Africans from Dyck in their gunship successfully engaged the Bandits and Insurgents throughout the day into late afternoon after refuelling on one of the Islands! Thank goodness for the Police backed SA chopper crew who even though low on ammo carried on fighting to save people in the town being overrun .....
A few civilians were bravely rescued from capture by the South African Gunship from the hands of the rampant raiding insurgents. Three of the rescued civilians were Standard Bank Employees.

The sad thing is that Three Military based Ukrainian Piloted Hind Gunships used by the Mozambique's military 1 x Mi-17 and 2 x Mi-24 helicopters were sent to help today, only to be grounded after the Mi 17 was hit by several rounds whilst flying over insurgents. On the in run and during the option to engage and fight against insurgents in Cabo Delgado province .. the Ukrainian pilots chose not to engage & landed at the local airfield and refused to assist or engage in the air support and fierce ongoing fighting. The SA helicopter continually engaged the enemy and saved many civilians as well as picking up stranded expats and civilians! At the end of the fighting the 3 Ukrainian gunships took off and left town flying over what they thought was fleeing Insurgents, not being under fire they engaged the military column killing many troops. The Ukrainian Choppers killed own forces Mozambican Soldiers. What a shambles possibly Dyck were and are the better option one thinks the South Africans make a difference at least they stand and fight
It does not look like the Military or the Ukrainian Pilots have the stomach for the fight!



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[Dorsland]

Africa is it's own worst enemy.  They should just shoot themselves in the foot and cut out all the middlemen.

[Grunder]

Africa is it's own worst enemy.  They should just shoot themselves in the foot and cut out all the middlemen.

Well said

[KiLRoy]

Never knew Total and other exploration companies are African?

Ukrainian pilots have a history of not flying in hot zones.  Should ground the MI17 for sure and use the MI24s. Donno how the can say they have 3 Hind helos - 2 x MI24 and 1 x MI17.  They have 2 Hind helos?

Again, much more to this than a ‘religious war’ i suspect.  Strange how religious wars keep on breaking out exactly at the spot where oil and gas is found?  Call Eeben and EO...

[RobC]

Again, much more to this than a ‘religious war’ i suspect.  Strange how religious wars keep on breaking out exactly at the spot where oil and gas is found?  Call Eeben and EO...

Like WOMD were found in Iraq...

[KiLRoy]

I dont know enough about this clusterfuck to really comment. But i sure know that everywhere oil and gas are discovered, corruption, pollution, exploitation and ultimately conflict follows... we have all seen that movie before

[RobC]

I dont know enough about this clusterfuck to really comment. But i sure know that everywhere oil and gas are discovered, corruption, pollution, exploitation and ultimately conflict follows... we have all seen that movie before

Your generalization is noted, same can be postulated about any mineral on the planet.

[neil-ph]

Never knew Total and other exploration companies are African?

Ukrainian pilots have a history of not flying in hot zones.  Should ground the MI17 for sure and use the MI24s. Donno how the can say they have 3 Hind helos - 2 x MI24 and 1 x MI17.  They have 2 Hind helos?

Again, much more to this than a ‘religious war’ i suspect.  Strange how religious wars keep on breaking out exactly at the spot where oil and gas is found?  Call Eeben and EO...

Wouldn't be surprised if Lionel Dyck himself didn't recruit/request the Ukrainian assistance. He was heavily involved in Eastern Europe at one stage.

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[KiLRoy]

EO had prior dealings with Ukrainian pilots in the Congo.  This is not the first time they refuse air support..

Robc, yes all minerals. Difference is oil just makes an especially nasty polluter and wipes out villages while the richbis counting their money in europe and the usa.

The Nigerian case...

[RobC]

Just think of all the Marinobacter, Oceanospiralles, Pseudomonas, and Alkanivorax one can find there!

[Dorsland]

EO had prior dealings with Ukrainian pilots in the Congo.  This is not the first time they refuse air support..

Robc, yes all minerals. Difference is oil just makes an especially nasty polluter and wipes out villages while the richbis counting their money in europe and the usa.

The Nigerian case...

Lyk amper soos die Vaalrivier wat die PBs sonder enige hulp van die buiteland af opgedonner het.

[RobC]

EO had prior dealings with Ukrainian pilots in the Congo.  This is not the first time they refuse air support..

Robc, yes all minerals. Difference is oil just makes an especially nasty polluter and wipes out villages while the richbis counting their money in europe and the usa.

The Nigerian case...

Lyk amper soos die Vaalrivier wat die PBs sonder enige hulp van die buiteland af opgedonner het.

Oil pilfering by the PB is not often given the coverage it should get... it often goes south when the refinery pipelines are tapped...

[Mapog]

Ive hunted in the Cabo Delgado in 1997.
Back then it was problably one of the most desolate regions on earth.
Ive met black people who havent seen a white person in their entire lives.

Crazy to think how money corrupt poor, uneducated and if I may “primitive” people.

I believe there are more local strongmen involved than political influenced ISIS factions.

Always just follow the money, and I believe here its not to the coffers of Islam,......... but I dont believe that its ever about Islam, its always about money and power hungry individuals....

[RobC]

Ive hunted in the Cabo Delgado in 1997.
Back then it was problably one of the most desolate regions on earth.
Ive met black people who havent seen a white person in their entire lives.

Crazy to think how money corrupt poor, uneducated and if I may “primitive” people.

I believe there are more local strongmen involved than political influenced ISIS factions.

Always just follow the money, and I believe here its not to the coffers of Islam,......... but I dont believe that its ever about Islam, its always about money and power hungry individuals....

Yep... old Mo had a soft spot for shiny stones and gold, so I am told, selling slaves was also lucrative...

[Bie]

Seems like the Palma attack have left dozens dead. Many was fortunate to be evacuated alive, others not. Anyone with first hand news?

Why was Al-Shabab tolerated up until now, why were they not confronted months ago?

[Blikkies1]

There's another thread here somewhere, looks like some deaths were own goals. I reckon SF will mount a counterstrike within the week.