Nearly 100 people were killed and dozens more wounded when Islamic State militants launched a deadly attack on a military base belonging to Puntland security forces in Somalia. The assault, which took place late Monday in the Togga Jacel area of the Cal Miskaad mountains in Puntland’s Bari region, is the deadliest attack by the extremist group in the region to date.
Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, known as Fadhigo, confirmed that at least 27 Puntland soldiers and over 70 militants were killed in the fierce battle that ensued. Speaking to VOA’s Somali Service on Tuesday, Ahmed noted that the death toll could be significantly higher, as many militants were killed in hidden caves and the area was still being assessed.
According to Puntland security officials, the attack began with suicide car bombers and motorbikes laden with explosives, followed by a fierce gunfight between the militants and Puntland soldiers. The Puntland forces had prior intelligence about the impending attack, allowing them to prepare for the battle. Despite the intensity of the assault, Puntland forces successfully repelled the militants and retained control of their base in Togga Jecel.
“Puntland security forces have successfully repelled the enemy attack, and they still remain in their base, dealing a significant blow to the extremist group,” a statement from the Puntland forces read.
This attack follows a similar confrontation last Wednesday when nearly 70 people were killed, and 50 others wounded in 24 hours of fighting between Puntland forces and the Islamic State militants. The extremist group has been increasingly active in the mountainous region of Puntland, launching deadly attacks and attempting to expand its stronghold.
Earlier this month, U.S. warplanes targeted Islamic State operatives in Somalia, focusing on high-ranking members of the terror group. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the airstrike, stating that it had successfully eliminated a senior ISIS attack planner along with other terrorists under his command.
Puntland launched a major offensive against the Islamic State in December, aiming to dismantle the militant group’s influence in the region. Since then, security forces claim to have killed nearly 200 Islamic State fighters, including foreign combatants, while capturing several key villages and bases.
As the conflict in Puntland escalates, the region faces ongoing security threats from extremist factions. Puntland authorities continue to combat insurgents while reinforcing their military presence in strategic locations to prevent future attacks.
