Mozambique is still reeling after a vicious assault late last month by militants linked to ISIL.  

Dozens were killed by the insurgents in the assault that took place in the coastal town of Palma in the northern Cabo Delgado province.

 Thousands more have fled to nearby Pemba and have recounted horror stories of their experience. Many of the arrivals are women and children.

Meanwhile, Mozambique’s military says Palma is now secure. 

But what is behind the violence and what threat do the militants pose to the country?

To discuss:

• Abdullahi Boru Halakhe is an African Security and Policy Analyst
• Zenaida Machado is a researcher in the Africa division of Human Rights Watch
• Liesl Louw-Vaurdran is the senior researcher and project leader with the Institute for Security Studies.

For More: 

Mozambique's military has said a 'significant' number of militants had been killed during a battle over a key northern town and gas hub captured by the Islamic State.https://t.co/hJ0caHfmWQ

— News24 🇿🇦 (@News24) April 5, 2021

Fato Abdula Ali, 29, was separated from her husband and three kids in the chaos after an attack on Palma, Mozambique. Nine months pregnant, she couldn’t keep up with other residents and delivered her son alone in the bush. Read more: https://t.co/L6TyDjsxRf 📷 Emidio Jozine pic.twitter.com/Wwr66Gjyh9

— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) April 5, 2021

▶️ Mozambique: army says attacked town of Palma is 'safe' from jihadists – Eye on Africa https://t.co/JAyqPk5H2i pic.twitter.com/HrXQsG3uCq

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) April 5, 2021

"We've seen dead bodies in hallways. Almost every one of these buildings has been trashed."

Dozens were killed when Islamic State insurgents overran the town of Palma in Mozambique.

Read more here: https://t.co/Idcayv9MKQ pic.twitter.com/hDQK1wvwfr

— Sky News (@SkyNews) April 5, 2021