Ministry of Security and DDR
Puntland State of Somalia
Garowe
Somalia: 3 Terrorists Killed as Puntland Forces Repel Al Shabaab Attack Near Mountains
PRESS RELEASE
04 January 2013
Puntland government forces repelled an attack by Al Shabaab terrorist group overnight Thursday Jan. 3, 2013, where government forces killed 3 Al Shabaab/Al Qaeda terrorists and wounded 5 other attackers.
The attack occurred around 10:30pm at a location approximately 40km southwest of Bossaso, where Puntland government forces manning a remote outpost near the Galgala Mountains successfully repelled the attack and chased the fleeing attackers into the mountains.
One Puntland government soldier was killed during the attack.
In a separate incident, Al Shabaab member was arrested during the daytime of Jan. 3, 2013, by Puntland troops as he was caught planting a roadside bomb.
Intelligence information indicates that Al Shabaab terrorist group’s repeated aggressions against Puntland government forces is fuelled in part by piracy ransoms, as pirate kingpins are linked to Al Shabaab terrorist group that has suffered military defeat and shortage of funds.
Puntland Government strongly condemns piracy ransoms and urges the international community to condemn and put an immediate end to ransom payments, which fuels the two criminal organizations of piracy and terrorism activities in Somalia.
Al Shabaab terrorism activities and aggression against the people and Government of Puntland is aided by politically motivated elements within Somalia.
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