The village of Macomia, in Cabo Delgado province, experienced, on Thursday night, moments of uncertainty of security in the area. Residents report the occurrence of gunfire in the vicinity, which started at 6 pm. Some people reabandoned their homes and fled to the forests, while others are packing their bags to return to the provincial capital, Pemba.

"Since 6pm there was shooting and we all went to sleep in the woods," writes Lusa, quoting a resident who gave these statements this morning.

The source said that the shots were heard in the same area where the base of the Mozambican armed forces and SAMIM, troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries are based.

There is no official information about the situation yet.

The rebel groups fleeing the military offensive are suspected to be responsible for the attacks that have been taking place elsewhere in Cabo Delgado.

The population's flight was justified by fears that armed rebels could re-enter the town and district headquarters, as they did in 2020, even though troops are currently garrisoning the area.

Prior to tonight's shooting, government troops fought armed groups that in the last week have invaded the island of Matemo.

Another source, linked to the local militias, said he was at home preparing a suitcase with clothes to head to Pemba, the provincial capital, due to renewed fears of insecurity in the town.

Before the conflict spread, Macomia was one of the main commercial and transport hubs of the province, as it was located in the middle of the only paved road connecting the north and south of Cabo Delgado, the national road 380.

The district headquarters is about 200 kilometers south of Palma and Mocímboa da Praia, the area of the gas projects, reconquered with the support of Rwandan forces in July 2021.

Elsewhere in the region, in the far north near the Tanzanian border, villages in the Nangade district have been targeted by rebels since February.