<p>The European Union could have a military training mission in place in Mozambique within several months, the bloc's foreign policy chief said on Friday, helping the southern African country tackle Islamist insurgents.</p>.<p>"I think we could be able to approve this mission," Josep Borrell told reporters ahead of an EU defence ministers' meeting in Lisbon where the subject was due to be discussed.</p>.<p>The problem is to find additional countries besides Portugal to supply troops, he added.</p>.<p>Borrell has previously said 200-300 personnel could be sent by the end of the year.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/12-beheaded-in-attack-on-mozambique-gas-hub-town-971976.html" target="_blank">12 beheaded in attack on Mozambique gas hub town</a></strong></p>.<p>Portugal sent 60 soldiers to its former colony Mozambique this month to begin training soldiers to counter the insurgency, share intelligence and use drones to track militants' movements.</p>.<p>Portuguese Defence Minister Joao Cravinho said 7-8 other countries had expressed willingness to send troops but declined to name them. Portugal would be the "principal participant" in the mission, he said.</p>.<p>Cravinho expected the remaining EU troops to be dispatched within three to four months, "perhaps faster".</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/isis-group-says-seized-mozambique-town-of-palma-968027.html" target="_blank">ISIS group says seized Mozambique town of Palma</a></strong></p>.<p>Mozambique has been grappling with an insurgency in its northernmost province of Cabo Delgado since 2017 and violence has grown significantly in the past year.</p>.<p>Dozens of civilians were killed in Islamic State-linked attacks in the coastal town of Palma in April, and a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project run by oil giant Total was brought to a halt by the violence.</p>
<p>The European Union could have a military training mission in place in Mozambique within several months, the bloc's foreign policy chief said on Friday, helping the southern African country tackle Islamist insurgents.</p>.<p>"I think we could be able to approve this mission," Josep Borrell told reporters ahead of an EU defence ministers' meeting in Lisbon where the subject was due to be discussed.</p>.<p>The problem is to find additional countries besides Portugal to supply troops, he added.</p>.<p>Borrell has previously said 200-300 personnel could be sent by the end of the year.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/12-beheaded-in-attack-on-mozambique-gas-hub-town-971976.html" target="_blank">12 beheaded in attack on Mozambique gas hub town</a></strong></p>.<p>Portugal sent 60 soldiers to its former colony Mozambique this month to begin training soldiers to counter the insurgency, share intelligence and use drones to track militants' movements.</p>.<p>Portuguese Defence Minister Joao Cravinho said 7-8 other countries had expressed willingness to send troops but declined to name them. Portugal would be the "principal participant" in the mission, he said.</p>.<p>Cravinho expected the remaining EU troops to be dispatched within three to four months, "perhaps faster".</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/isis-group-says-seized-mozambique-town-of-palma-968027.html" target="_blank">ISIS group says seized Mozambique town of Palma</a></strong></p>.<p>Mozambique has been grappling with an insurgency in its northernmost province of Cabo Delgado since 2017 and violence has grown significantly in the past year.</p>.<p>Dozens of civilians were killed in Islamic State-linked attacks in the coastal town of Palma in April, and a $20 billion liquefied natural gas project run by oil giant Total was brought to a halt by the violence.</p>