Islamic State-backed fighters have intensified attacks in southern Cabo Delgado province, burning villages in two districts and taking hostages along the N14 highway, a vital link between the provincial capital Pemba and Montepuez, two of the province’s most important cities.
On Saturday 12 April, the insurgents set up barricades along the N14 road between the villages of Nanjua and Muaja in Ancuabe district. Local sources reported that the insurgents demanded ransoms of between MZN10,000 ($156) and MZN200,000 ($3130) from travellers.
