A convoy operated by US gas giant Anadarko came under attack Thursday in northern Mozambique which has been rocked by a spate of jihadist violence, according to company sources.
The local sources, who declined to be named, said the convoy was targeted on a road linking Mocimboa da Praia to Palma, the nerve-centre of Mozambique’s nascent gas industry following the discovery of reserves of more than 75 trillion cubic feet.
Armed men blocked the road and attacked the convoy with firearms, the sources told AFP. No staff were injured.
Anadarko is one of the global companies investing billions of dollars to exploit major gas reserves discovered off Mozambique’s northeastern coast.
Hardline Islamists have launched several deadly attacks in the Muslim-majority, oil and gas-rich Cabo Delgado province in the past year, stoking unrest just as Maputo pushes ahead with exploration efforts.
Anadarko has previously advertised for the supply of armoured vehicles for use in its northern Mozambique operations, according to the Bloomberg news agency.
Anadarko’s head office did not respond to a request for comment.