British Contractor's Heroism and Death Detailed in Mozambique Hotel Siege Aftermath

The "Battle of Palma," a devastating three-day siege by ISIS-linked militants in Mozambique in March 2021, resulted in hundreds of deaths and harrowing experiences for foreign nationals and locals trapped in the coastal town. New details have emerged from an inquest into the death of Philip Mawer, a 58-year-old British contractor, highlighting his heroism and the chaotic events at the Amarula Hotel.

The Siege Begins

The attack commenced on the afternoon of March 24, 2021, when militants, armed with rocket launchers, rifles, and machetes, assaulted Palma from multiple directions. The town, which was hosting numerous foreign contractors working on a $20 billion French energy project, became a scene of terror. Many fled to the fortified Amarula Hotel, a compound on the town's edge, which quickly became a final stand against the insurgents.

The attack occurred amidst a growing Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado province, where thousands of refugees fleeing violence had already sought refuge. Up until the assault, the Amarula Hotel had served as a comfortable base for foreign contractors. However, as the siege intensified, communication lines were cut, and the approximately 200 people inside used white fabric to signal for help from passing aircraft.

Evacuation and Desperate Measures

By the second day of the attack, mortar bombs and bullets began impacting the hotel's perimeter. A South African private security firm, Dyck Advisory Group (DAG), took over rescue operations, beginning to airlift people from the hotel in helicopters that could carry six individuals at a time. A total of 23 people were evacuated on the first day of these operations.

Philip Mawer was offered a seat on one of these evacuation flights but reportedly refused, prioritizing women and children. The hotel manager, Timothy Roberts, was evacuated with his two dogs, a decision that has drawn criticism. Roberts maintained he was acting under orders from the hotel's owners.

The Convoy Breakout and Fatalities

With dwindling supplies and insurgents surrounding the hotel, approximately 170 remaining residents attempted a breakout in a convoy of 17 vehicles on Friday. Mawer participated in the convoy but chose to drive a less protected vehicle. As the convoy exited the hotel, it was ambushed by militants. Mawer was killed by an RPG. Adrian Nel, a South African contractor, was also killed in the ambush. His family members managed to escape and hide.

Nick Alexander, a dual British-South African citizen who was in the final vehicle of the convoy, described the chaos and his subsequent two-day escape through dense vegetation. Only seven of the 17 vehicles in the convoy made it past the insurgents, with witnesses reporting that many more people were killed in the ambush than the confirmed seven.

Aftermath and Scrutiny

Survivors scattered into the surrounding areas and were later rescued by DAG mercenaries. While most hotel occupants were rescued by the end of the week, soldiers spent weeks clearing remaining terrorists from Palma. During this process, gruesome discoveries were made, including the bodies of 12 individuals with their hands tied and heads severed. The total death toll remains unconfirmed, but it is estimated that over a thousand people were killed or abducted, predominantly Mozambican civilians.

French energy giant TotalEnergies faced scrutiny over its alleged role in hindering rescue efforts and failing to provide sufficient fuel for evacuation helicopters. However, a subsidiary of TotalEnergies denied responsibility, stating it could not release fuel to DAG. The inquest concluded that there was insufficient evidence to find corporations responsible for evacuation plans or rescues, acknowledging the unexpected speed of the attack. The coroner commended Philip Mawer for his bravery, stating he was a "true leader" who "put his team and others first before himself."