Pertempuran Palma: Perbedaan antara revisi

{{Infobox military conflict|conflict=Pertempuran Palma|commander2=Tidak diketahui|casualties3=100+ warga sipil terbunuh dan 35.000 diungsikan|casualties2=Tidak diketahui|casualties1={{flagdeco|Mozambique}} 21+ terbunuh<br />1 helikopter rusak atau ditembak jatuh|strength2=300+<ref name="GoldbaumGoldbaum2" />|strength1=Infanteri (tidak diketahui jumlahnya)<br />Helikopter [[Mil Mi-24]] dan [[Mil Mi-17]]<ref name="Fabricius" /><br />3 helikopter ringan DAG|units2=[[Ansar al-Sunna (Mozambik)|Ansar al-Sunna]]<ref name="harding">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56373651 |title=Hungry, angry and fleeing the horrors of war in northern Mozambique |author=Andrew Harding |work=BBC |date=13 March 2021 |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327003819/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56373651 |url-status=live }}</ref><br/>[[Islamic State's Central Africa Province]] (IS-CAP)<ref name="plessis">{{cite web |url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/fresh-attacks-in-mozambique-as-sa-military-companys-contract-comes-to-an-end-20210324 |title=Fresh attacks in Mozambique as SA military company's contract comes to an end |author=Carien du Plessis |work=news24 |date=24 March 2021 |access-date=27 March 2021 |archive-date=27 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327085208/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/fresh-attacks-in-mozambique-as-sa-military-companys-contract-comes-to-an-end-20210324 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="garda" />|units1=[[Angkatan Bersenjata Pertahanan Mozambik]] (FADM)

Kepolisian Mozambik (UIR)<br/>[[Tentara bayaran]] [[Dyck Advisory Group (DAG)]]<br/>Tentara bayaran [[Control Risks]]<ref name="mossemosse2" />|commander1=Perwira Mozambik yang tidak diketahui<br/>Lionel Dyck (DAG)<ref name="newyorktimes">{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/28/world/africa/mozambique-palma-hotel-insurgents.html |title=As Militants Seize Mozambique Gas Hub, a Dash for Safety Turns Deadly |author1=Christina Goldbaum |author2=Eric Schmitt |author3=Declan Walsh |work=New York Times |date=28 March 2021 |access-date=29 March 2021 |archive-date=28 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328234024/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/28/world/africa/mozambique-palma-hotel-insurgents.html |url-status=live }}</ref>|partof=[[Pemberontakan di Cabo Delgado]]|combatant2={{flagicon image|AQMI Flag asymmetric.svg}} [[Negara Islam Irak dan Suriah]] (klaim)<ref name="reutersreuters2" />|combatant1={{flag|Mozambik}}|territory=|status=Berlangsung|place=[[Palma, Mozambik|Palma]], Cabo Delgado, Mozambik|date=24 Maret 2021 – sekarang<br />({{Age in months, weeks and days|day1=24|month1=03|year1=2021}})|image=ISIL fighters in Palma.png

Pada awal Maret 2021, pemberontak Islam mulai mengepung kota [[Palma, Mozambik|Palma]]. Pemberontak memenggal kepala warga sipil dari desa-desa terdekat, serta para pengungsi yang mencoba melarikan diri dari kota itu. Pada 7 Maret, pemberontak menduduki pos perbatasan di Nonje di perbatasan dengan [[Tanzania]] di [[Sungai Ruvuma]], mengisolasi Palma dari seluruh [[Mozambik]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cabo Ligado Weekly: 8-14 March|url=https://www.caboligado.com/reports/cabo-ligado-weekly-8-14-march-2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316230038/https://www.caboligado.com/reports/cabo-ligado-weekly-8-14-march-2021|archive-date=2021-03-16|access-date=2021-03-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Warga sipil yang tetap di Palma menghadapi kelaparan. [[Proyek Lokasi Konflik Bersenjata dan Data Peristiwa|Analis ACLED]], Jasmine Opperman, berpendapat bahwa serangan terhadap Palma diharapkan, dan para ahli keamanan telah memperingatkan kedutaan asing dan pemerintah Mozambik bahwa para militan sedang merencanakan serangan, tetapi diabaikan.<ref name="EsauEsau2">{{Cite web|last=Iain Esau|date=28 March 2021|title=Palma attacks: Total stops work at Mozambique LNG as workers and locals flee brutal assault by Islamist insurgents|url=https://www.upstreamonline.com/safety/palma-attacks-total-stops-work-at-mozambique-lng-as-workers-and-locals-flee-brutal-assault-by-islamist-insurgents/2-1-988744|website=Upstream|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328170038/https://www.upstreamonline.com/safety/palma-attacks-total-stops-work-at-mozambique-lng-as-workers-and-locals-flee-brutal-assault-by-islamist-insurgents/2-1-988744|archive-date=28 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Opperman kemudian menulis di Twitter, "Mengapa dalam nama Tuhan tidak ada tindakan yang diambil sebagai tanggapan atas intelijen peringatan dini. Itu memalukan".

Identitas pasti para pemberontak di Palma tidak jelas. Seorang pemberontak mengidentifikasi dirinya sebagai anggota "al-Shabab", nama lokal untuk kelompok [[Ansar al-Sunna (Mozambik)|Ansar al-Sunna]]. Namun, laporan lain mengklaim bahwa para penyerang itu diidentifikasi sebagai anggota [[Provinsi Afrika Tengah milik Negara Islam|ISIS di Provinsi Afrika Tengah]] (IS-CAP). Sumber dari pihak keamanan menyatakan bahwa para pemberontak mengenakan seragam.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Estacio Valoi|last2=Tim Lister|date=29 March 2021|title=Foreigners and locals among dozens killed in Mozambique terror attack|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/28/africa/palma-mozambique-ambush-intl/index.html|website=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329001328/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/28/africa/palma-mozambique-ambush-intl/index.html|archive-date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|last3=Vasco Cotovio|last4=Robyn Curnow|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Negara Islam Irak dan Syam]] (ISIL) dan afiliasinya IS-CAP kemudian mengklaim bertanggung jawab atas serangan itu melalui [[Kantor Berita Amaq]].<ref name="reutersgarda">{{Cite web|date=29 March 2021|title=IslamicMozambique: StateSecurity claimssituation deadlyin attackand onaround northernPalma Mozambiqueremains townuncertain as of March 29 /update 3|url=https://www.reutersgarda.com/articlecrisis24/usnews-alerts/461096/mozambique-insurgency/islamicsecurity-situation-in-and-around-palma-remains-uncertain-as-of-march-29-update-3islamic-state-claims-deadly-attack-on-northern-mozambique-town-idUSKBN2BL1XX|website=ReutersGarda|access-date=29 March 2021}}{{Pranala mati|date=Mei 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref name="gardareuters2">{{Cite web|date=29 March 2021|title=Mozambique:Islamic SecurityState situationclaims indeadly andattack aroundon Palmanorthern remainsMozambique uncertain as of March 29 /update 3town|url=https://www.gardareuters.com/crisis24article/newsus-alerts/461096/mozambique-security-situation-in-and-around-palma-remains-uncertain-as-of-march-29-update-3islamicinsurgency/islamic-state-claims-deadly-attack-on-northern-mozambique-town-idUSKBN2BL1XX|website=GardaReuters|access-date=29 March 2021}}{{Pranala mati|date=Mei 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Pada tanggal 24 Maret, lebih dari 100 militan, yang dibagi menjadi dua kelompok,<ref name="GoldbaumGoldbaum2">{{Cite web|last=Christina Goldbaum|date=27 March 2021|title=Insurgents Seize Mozambique Town, Killing Several People; Fate of Hundreds Unknown|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/27/world/africa/27mozambique-insurgents-attack.html|website=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328002157/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/27/world/africa/27mozambique-insurgents-attack.html|archive-date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> menyerbu dan menyerang kota Palma dan melakukan serangan teroris terkoordinasi di lokasi yang berbeda. [[stasiun kepolisian|Kantor polisi]] dan pos pemeriksaan awalnya menjadi sasaran, dan kemudian [[bank]]-bank dirampok.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Islamist rebels kill dozens in attack on Mozambique gas project|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/islamist-rebels-kill-dozens-in-attack-on-mozambique-gas-project-s3fhl308z|website=The Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327030815/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/islamist-rebels-kill-dozens-in-attack-on-mozambique-gas-project-s3fhl308z|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Lingkungan perumahan juga diserang, mengakibatkan kematian beberapa warga sipil setempat. Orang-orang juga ditembak di jalanan, beberapa korban kemudian [[Pemancungan|dipenggal]]. Serangan itu terjadi ketika raksasa energi [[Prancis]] [[Total S.A.|Total SE]] kembali bekerja di lokasi tersebut. Namun, serangan itu tampaknya telah direncanakan sebelumnya.<ref name="reuters.com">{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Convoy of fleeing civilians ambushed in besieged Mozambique town|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-insurgency/convoy-of-fleeing-civilians-ambushed-in-besieged-mozambique-town-idUSKBN2BJ0E2|publisher=[[Reuters]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327140929/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-insurgency/convoy-of-fleeing-civilians-ambushed-in-besieged-mozambique-town-idUSKBN2BJ0E2|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Sebuah proyek gas menjadi sasaran, menewaskan penduduk lokal dan pekerja asing. Serangan tersebut secara khusus menargetkan warga sipil dan pekerja asing untuk pertama kalinya sejak pemberontakan dimulai. Sekitar 200 orang yang selamat melarikan diri dari tempat kejadian dan mengungsi di Hotel Amarula. Para militan juga menyerang hotel, menewaskan beberapa orang di pintu masuk.<ref name="Al Jazeera English">{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Over 180 people trapped in Mozambique hotel after ISIL attack|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/27/over-180-people-trapped-in-mozambique-hotel-after-isil-attack|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327042128/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/27/over-180-people-trapped-in-mozambique-hotel-after-isil-attack|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="msnmsn4">[https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/south-africa-mulls-rescue-mission-to-mozambique-to-evacuate-trapped-citizens/ar-BB1f2mJA South Africa mulls rescue mission to Mozambique to evacuate trapped citizens]</ref> Sekitar 20 orang bersembunyi di Bonatti Hotel.<ref name="msnmsn4" /> Segera setelah pemberontak mengambil alih kendali atas Palma, lebih dari seratus militan datang sebagai bala bantuan, memblokir jalan-jalan di dalam kota dan merebut desa-desa di sekitar Palma.<ref name="GoldbaumGoldbaum2" />

Untuk membantu pertahanan kota, [[Angkatan Bersenjata Pertahanan Mozambik]] (FADM) dikabarkan mengirimkan tiga helikopter, yakni dua [[Mil Mi-24]] dan satu [[Mil Mi-17]], yang dikemudikan oleh [[tentara bayaran]] Ukraina.<ref name="Fabricius">{{Cite web|last=Peter Fabricius|date=27 March 2021|title=South Africans reportedly killed as Jihadist insurgents overrun hotel in Mozambique's Palma|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-27-south-africans-reportedly-killed-as-jihadist-insurgents-overrun-hotel-in-mozambiques-palma/|website=Daily Maverick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327065620/https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-27-south-africans-reportedly-killed-as-jihadist-insurgents-overrun-hotel-in-mozambiques-palma/|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="msn2msn4">[https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/south-africa-mulls-rescue-mission-to-mozambique-to-evacuate-trapped-citizens/ar-BB1f2mJA South Africa mulls rescue mission to Mozambique to evacuate trapped citizens]</ref> Namun, Angkatan Udara Mozambik mundur dalam keadaan yang tidak jelas. Menurut "beberapa sumber dari pihak keamanan", semua helikopter FADM mundur setelah satu helikopter rusak oleh tembakan senjata ringan. Sumber dari pihak keamanan lain mengklaim bahwa Mil Mi-17 ditembak jatuh oleh Mil Mi-24 setelah pemberontak membajak Mi-17.<ref name="Fabricius" /> [[Grup Penasihat Dyck (DAG)|Dyck Advisory Group]] (DAG), sebuah perusahaan keamanan swasta Afrika Selatan yang bekerja untuk Mozambik, menggunakan tiga helikopter ringan untuk menembaki pemberontak, namun mereka harus mundur setelah kehabisan bahan bakar pada awal 26 Maret.<ref name="msn2msn4" /><ref>[https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-03-27-south-africans-reportedly-killed-as-jihadist-insurgents-overrun-hotel-in-mozambiques-palma/ South Africans reportedly killed as Jihadist insurgents overrun hotel in Mozambique’s Palma] {{Webarchive}}, 27 March 2021</ref> Tentara bayaran Afrika Selatan memberi tahu orang-orang di Hotel Amarula bahwa mereka hanya bisa mencoba membantu mereka lagi keesokan harinya. Satu unit tentara Mozambik terdekat yang terdiri dari 1.100 tentara gagal membantu mereka yang terkepung di Palma, tidak ingin melemahkan posisinya yang dibentengi di Afungi, sementara Total SE dilaporkan menolak untuk mengisi bahan bakar helikopter DAG sehingga mereka tidak dapat langsung kembali ke Palma.<ref name="msn2msn4" />

Pada akhir 26 Maret, orang-orang di Hotel Amarula memutuskan untuk mencoba melarikan diri, karena tampaknya tidak ada bantuan lebih lanjut dari pasukan pemerintah yang dapat menjangkau mereka.<ref name="msn3msn4">[https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/south-africa-mulls-rescue-mission-to-mozambique-to-evacuate-trapped-citizens/ar-BB1f2mJA South Africa mulls rescue mission to Mozambique to evacuate trapped citizens]</ref> Sekelompok 20 orang tidak bergabung dalam upaya ini, dan memilih untuk tetap tinggal. Dibantu sejumlah aparat keamanan, sekitar 180 warga hotel yang selamat mengungsi dengan iring-iringan 17 kendaraan. Namun, hanya tujuh kendaraan yang berhasil lolos dari lokasi kejadian, sedangkan sepuluh kendaraan lainnya diserang, dengan penumpangnya dibunuh, dan lainnya luka-luka dan ditangkap.<ref name="msn3" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Over 180 people trapped in Mozambique hotel after ISIL attack|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/27/over-180-people-trapped-in-mozambique-hotel-after-isil-attack|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English]]|archive-url=https:"//web.archive.org/web/20210327042128/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/27/over-180-people-trapped-in-mozambique-hotel-after-isil-attack|archive-date=27><ref March 2021|access-datename=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}<"msn4"/ref> Lebih dari 40 orang tewas selama penyerangan konvoi, tetapi sejauh ini hanya tujuh mayat yang berhasil ditemukan, karena kendaraan tersebut kemudian dibajak oleh para penyerang.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 March 2021|title=SA helicopter pilots a lifeline for scores trapped by Mozambican rebels|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/africa/2021-03-29-sa-helicopter-pilots-a-lifeline-for-scores-trapped-by-mozambican-rebels/|work=Times Live|language=en|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref> Sedikitnya 21 tentara Mozambik tewas selama operasi tersebut. Seorang [[Afrika Selatan|pria Afrika Selatan]], Adrian Nel<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 March 2021|title=Mozambique hotel attack: Mother's anguish after son shot dead by Islamist insurgents|url=https://news.sky.com/story/mozambique-hotel-attack-mothers-anguish-after-son-shot-dead-by-islamist-insurgents-12259194|work=SkyNews24|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328152550/http://news.sky.com/story/mozambique-hotel-attack-mothers-anguish-after-son-shot-dead-by-islamist-insurgents-12259194|archive-date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=South African among those killed in violence in northern Mozambique|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/south-african-among-those-killed-in-violence-in-northern-mozambique-20210326|publisher=News24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326234715/https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/south-african-among-those-killed-in-violence-in-northern-mozambique-20210326|archive-date=26 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> yang mengemudikan salah satu kendaraan konvoi<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Mozambique insurgency: Islamist militants 'ambush workers fleeing hotel'|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56550359|publisher=[[BBC]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327190737/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56550359|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> dan seorang kontraktor [[Britania Raya|Inggris]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 March 2021|title=Briton killed in Mozambique attack: The Times|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-insurgency-britain/briton-killed-in-mozambique-attack-the-times-idUSKBN2BK0K6|publisher=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328180547/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-insurgency-britain/briton-killed-in-mozambique-attack-the-times-idUSKBN2BK0K6|archive-date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> dipastikan tewas dalam serangan itu, dengan orang asing lainnya diduga tewas. Seorang [[Portugal|warga negara Portugis]] dipastikan terluka setelah ditembak, dan diselamatkan bersama dua pekerja dari Irlandia dan Selandia Baru.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 March 2021|title=Several South Africans feared dead in attacks on Mozambique gas project|url=https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2021-03-27-several-south-africans-feared-dead-in-attacks-on-mozambique-gas-project/|publisher=Times Live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327145105/https://www.timeslive.co.za/amp/news/south-africa/2021-03-27-several-south-africans-feared-dead-in-attacks-on-mozambique-gas-project/|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mereka yang berhasil menerobos garis pemberontak mencapai pantai. Di sana, helikopter DAG Afrika Selatan berhasil mengevakuasi mereka pada 27 Maret.<ref name="msn4">[https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/south-africa-mulls-rescue-mission-to-mozambique-to-evacuate-trapped-citizens/ar-BB1f2mJA South Africa mulls rescue mission to Mozambique to evacuate trapped citizens]</ref> Tentara bayaran juga menyelamatkan kelompok yang tetap tinggal di Hotel Amarula.<ref name="msn4reuters.com" /><ref>{{Cite web|datename=27"msn4" March 2021|title=Convoy of fleeing civilians ambushed in besieged Mozambique town|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-insurgency/convoy-of-fleeing-civilians-ambushed-in-besieged-mozambique-town-idUSKBN2BJ0E2|publisher=[[Reuters]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327140929/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mozambique-insurgency/convoy-of-fleeing-civilians-ambushed-in-besieged-mozambique-town-idUSKBN2BJ0E2|archive-date=27 March 2021|access-date=27 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Beberapa orang berhasil melarikan diri dari Palma dengan perahu.<ref name="Goldbaum2">{{Cite web|last=Christina Goldbaum|date=27 March 2021|title=Insurgents Seize Mozambique Town, Killing Several People; Fate of Hundreds Unknown|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/27/world/africa/27mozambique-insurgents-attack.html|website=New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328002157/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/27/world/africa/27mozambique-insurgents-attack.html|archive-date=28 March 2021|access-date=28 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Helikopter DAG terus bergerak di sekitar kota, mencoba menemukan dan menyelamatkan orang yang selamat. Sementara itu, pemberontak mulai menjarah dan merusak kota, membakar banyak bangunan termasuk hotel serta klinik dan menghancurkan sekitar dua pertiga infrastruktur.<ref name="msn4Goldbaum2" /><ref name="Goldbaum2msn4" /> Kemudian pada hari itu, sumber dari pihak keamanan mengklaim militan telah menguasai kota itu meskipun pertempuran masih terjadi di sekitar Palma.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mozambique: several dead as insurgents seize control of town|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/27/mozambique-several-dead-as-insurgents-seize-control-of-town|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327201815/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/27/mozambique-several-dead-as-insurgents-seize-control-of-town|archive-date=2021-03-27|access-date=2021-03-27|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.barrons.com/news/militants-seize-northern-mozambique-town-palma-security-sources-01616857507 Jihadists Seize Northern Mozambique Town: Security Sources]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Militant group seizes northern Mozambique town, kills foreign worker|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/world/africa/militant-group-seizes-northern-mozambique-town-kills-foreign-worker|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327233623/https://www.dailysabah.com/world/africa/militant-group-seizes-northern-mozambique-town-kills-foreign-worker|archive-date=2021-03-27|access-date=2021-03-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Para pemberontak, yang jumlahnya lebih dari 300 saat itu, juga telah memotong jalan dari empat hotel lagi di Palma, tempat para pekerja asing masih bertahan.<ref name="Goldbaum2" />

Sejak 27 Maret, warga sipil yang terjebak di Palma dievakuasi dengan perahu. Beberapa kapal tiba di Palma dalam upaya membantu mereka yang terdampar di pantai. Kapal penumpang ''Sea Star'' membawa sekitar 1.400 pengungsi dan membawa mereka ke tempat aman di [[Pemba, Mozambik|Pemba]] pada 28 Maret.<ref name="aljazeeraaljazeera2">{{Cite web|last=|date=29 March 2021|title=Mozambique: Thousands flee besieged Palma by boats|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/29/thousands-flee-besieged-mozambican-town-by-boat|website=al Jazeera|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330012925/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/29/thousands-flee-besieged-mozambican-town-by-boat|archive-date=30 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Mereka yang melarikan diri telah menggunakan setiap kapal yang ada, termasuk "kapal kargo, kapal penumpang, kapal tunda dan kapal rekreasi". Seorang korban selamat menyatakan bahwa evakuasi sebagian besar diatur oleh "pemasok dan perusahaan lokal", sementara negara lain dan perusahaan besar telah menyerahkan nasib kepada penduduk sipil.<ref name="Herrmannsen Byaruhanga">{{Cite web|last=Kyla Herrmannsen|last2=Catherine Byaruhanga|date=29 March 2021|title=Mozambique: Dozens dead after militant assault on Palma|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56557623|website=BBC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329001614/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-56557623|archive-date=29 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Pemberontak secara aktif menargetkan kapal-kapal yang melarikan diri dengan senjata ringan dan mortir, memaksa beberapa orang untuk menghentikan operasi penyelamatan. Diperkirakan 35.000 warga sipil telah mengungsi selama pertempuran, mencari perlindungan di kota-kota tetangga.<ref>{{Cite news|title=As militants seize Mozambique gas hub, a dash for safety turns deadly|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/as-militants-seize-mozambique-gas-hub-a-dash-for-safety-turns-deadly/articleshow/81744967.cms|work=The Economic Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330015902/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/as-militants-seize-mozambique-gas-hub-a-dash-for-safety-turns-deadly/articleshow/81744967.cms|archive-date=30 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Beberapa telah melarikan diri ke hutan dan bakau terdekat,<ref name="Herrmannsen Byaruhanga" /> sementara yang lain berhasil melarikan diri ke utara melintasi perbatasan ke [[Tanzania]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lusa|date=29 March 2021|title=Mozambique: Hundreds fleeing Palma attacks reach Tanzania border, call for help|url=https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-hundreds-fleeing-palma-attacks-reach-tanzania-border-call-for-help-lusa-188020/|website=Club of Mozambique|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330015847/https://clubofmozambique.com/news/mozambique-hundreds-fleeing-palma-attacks-reach-tanzania-border-call-for-help-lusa-188020/|archive-date=30 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Pada akhir 28 Maret, pasukan FADM dari angkatan laut, angkatan udara, dan pasukan khusus,<ref name="mossemosse2">{{Cite web|last=Marcelo Mosse|date=29 March 2021|title=Palma almost liberated… but terrorists received reinforcements and there is again fighting in the vicinity of the town|url=https://clubofmozambique.com/news/palma-almost-liberated-but-terrorists-received-reinforcements-and-there-is-again-fighting-in-the-vicinity-of-the-town-carta-de-mocambique-188034/|website=Club of Mozambique|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330015857/https://clubofmozambique.com/news/palma-almost-liberated-but-terrorists-received-reinforcements-and-there-is-again-fighting-in-the-vicinity-of-the-town-carta-de-mocambique-188034/|archive-date=30 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> didukung oleh tentara bayaran DAG dan British [[Risiko Kontrol|Control Risks]]<ref name="mossemosse2" /> melancarkan operasi untuk merebut kembali Palma, tetapi para pemberontak pada awalnya berhasil menahan sebagian besar kota termasuk pelabuhan. Saat itu, sekitar 6.000 hingga 10.000 pengungsi masih menunggu dievakuasi di pantai Palma.<ref name="aljazeera2">{{Cite web|last=|date=29 March 2021|title=Mozambique: Thousands flee besieged Palma by boats|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/29/thousands-flee-besieged-mozambican-town-by-boat|website=al Jazeera|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330012925/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/3/29/thousands-flee-besieged-mozambican-town-by-boat|archive-date=30 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Ribuan lainnya bertahan di Afungi, tempat proyek Total SE berada; yang terakhir tidak jatuh ke tangan pemberontak, meskipun Total SE telah mengevakuasi sebagian besar karyawannya dari lokasi.<ref name="aljazeera2Esau2" /><ref name="Esau2aljazeera2">{{Cite web|last=Iain Esau|date=28 March 2021|title=Palma attacks: Total stops work at Mozambique LNG as workers and locals flee brutal assault by Islamist insurgents|url=https://www.upstreamonline.com/safety/palma-attacks-total-stops-work-at-mozambique-lng-as-workers-and-locals-flee-brutal-assault-by-islamist-insurgents/2-1-988744|website=Upstream|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210328170038/https://www.upstreamonline.com/safety/palma-attacks-total-stops-work-at-mozambique-lng-as-workers-and-locals-flee-brutal-assault-by-islamist-insurgents/2-1-988744|archive-date=28 March 2021|access-date=29 March 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Sementara itu, tentara dan polisi menutup zona pendaratan kapal-kapal di Pemba, membatasi akses para pengungsi.<ref name="aljazeera2" />