[imagesource:  Estacio Valoi / TimesLIVE]

Until recently, the threat of Islamic State-linked groups, or ISIS, seemed like a problem that other parts of the world grappled with.

Over the course of the past year, however, the situation in Mozambique has worsened considerably, and the links between the ISIS-linked groups in the country’s northern province of Carbo Delgado and South Africa have become clearer.

Organised crime syndicates in South Africa have been providing funds to the insurgents, and as many as 16 South Africans are believed to be fighting alongside the terror cell.

In recent days and weeks, heavily armed insurgents have taken over a string of islands, reports TimesLIVE, “several of which are home to luxury SA tourist resorts”.

After the port of Mocimboa da Praia was captured, insurgents took control of speedboats, which analysts say has given them the edge in a number of maritime attacks:

Over the weekend insurgents stormed and took control of at least five islands around the northern Mozambique port town of Palma [pictured above] – a major tourist diving-holiday destination…

The rebels also took control of the main roads leading to Palma, ambushing trucks transporting cargo and civilians and attacking four villages near the town.

Jasmine Opperman, an analyst with the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, said the situation was grave.

“Mocimboa da Praia is still under the insurgents’ control. This weekend the rebels launched attacks on at least five islands close to Palma and four villages within the municipal district.”

Among the five islands attacked was Vamizi, “which is home to SA tourist resorts”.

It’s estimated that in excess of 2 000 South Africans work in the Carbo Delgardo region, mainly on projects related to the area’s vast offshore gas fields.

In some areas, there have been reports of beheadings and kidnapping of women and children, as entire villages are raided.

The degree of coordination and tactical sophistication shown by the fighters worries Opperman, and their attack capabilities are evolving rapidly in a manner that effectively seals off the area for total control.

Take a moment to consider how utterly terrifying it must be to run a resort, or live in the area:

Residents in Palma, speaking to Times Select anonymously, said they had no way of escaping after the islands were seized.

“There is so much confusion. Nobody is going through the area. The bandits attack the cars. People are turning back to the town.

“The situation is bad. There is no way out. There is no convoy and no soldiers to get us out.”

Like something out of a horror movie, really.

Read the rest of that TimesLIVE report here.

This past weekend, Carte Blanche aired a segment called ‘The Ignored War: Islamic State in Southern Africa?’, which took a closer look at the conflict.

In light of the ongoing situation in northern Mozambique, it’s well worth a watch:

[sources:timeslive&carteblanche]