Mozambique violence displaced 'highly traumatised'

Thousands of people displaced by rebel attack in rrn Mozambique have sought safety in town of Pemba, with some among m hoping to be reunited with ir relatives.

Hundreds of families were separated when trying to escape from insurgents that attacked port city of Palma in Cabo Delgo province at end of March.

"I don't kw where my family is", said 31-year-old Alue, who was working on day of assault and forced to flee.

He has been looking for his mor, his wife and his brors since his arrival at a shelter in Pemba.

he of UN Refugee ncy in region said those arriving at shelter h been left "exhausted" by ir experiences.

"y are highly traumatised by what y have seen, by what y have experienced, seeing ir families, ir friends being killed, seeing ir houses being completely destroyed", said Margarida Loureiro.

More than 2,600 people have been killed and 670,000 displaced since rebel insurgency started in 2017, creating a massive humanitarian crisis, according to UN ncies.

recent escalation began when more than 100 of well-armed rebels attacked Palma on March 24 and held more than half of strategic centre for more than 10 days.

At least 50 people were killed, including several who were beheed, in assault.

Mozambique's President Filipe Nyusi anunced Wednesday that government forces h regained control of Palma after a prolonged battle.