MAPUTO, May 14 (AGCNewsNet) - Suspected Islamic militants attacked a Russian-flagged oceanographic vessel over the weekend near Mocimboa da Praia in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, marking a significant escalation in their insurgency.

According to reports monitored here on Wednesday, two speedboats approached the Atlantida K-1704 off Tambuzi Island on Saturday afternoon and opened fire on the vessel.

The Russian ship managed to escape by moving into deeper waters, but a distress signal—faintly transmitting the words “pirate” and "attack”—was intercepted shortly after 16:00.

The vessel later contacted another ship to warn of the assailants' presence.

This marks the first time that militants have targeted a foreign-flagged vessel, having previously focused on attacking fishing boats and kidnapping fishermen along Mozambique’s northern coastline.

Mozambique has battled an Islamist insurgency in its resource-rich northern region since 2017, with militants linked to the Islamic State engaging in violent raids on villages, military outposts, and infrastructure projects.

While regional and international forces have worked to stabilise the area, the attack on the Russian vessel suggests an expansion of militant operations into maritime zones.

Source: AIM News

Stay connected with AGC NewsNet for the latest news from Africa.