Somalia: Al Shabaab attack military outpost in Puntland 3 Mar 3, 2012 - 8:35:34 AM
BOSSASO, Somalia Mar 3 2012 (Garowe Online) – After recently joining the Al Shabaab network the Golis mountain militia have attacked a military outpost near Bossaso, Garowe Online reports.
The Al Shabaab attacked Puntland security forces twice in the early hours of Saturday, one attack occurring in the middle of the night. The other attack took place a few minutes after dawn as Al Shabaab agents stormed an outpost where some Puntland troops were stationed.
The Puntland spokesman Ahmed Omar Hersi who spoke to Radio Garowe said that Puntland forces had killed 7 Al Shabaab members in the battle adding that there were 3 civilian bystanders injured.
“The Puntland forces managed to repel the attacks and in doing so killed 7 Al Shabaab members after there repeated attacks,” said Mr. Hersi.
On the other hand Abdiaziz Abu Musab an Al Shabaab spokesman released a statement on the Al Shabaab controlled radio Al Andalus. “The freedom fighters attacked a military outpost near Bossaso where Puntland troops were stationed and killed 5 troops and injured others,” said Abu Musab.
The injured were rushed to hospitals in Bossaso and are in stable condition. Puntland spokesman did not mention the casualties that resulted from the Al Shabaab attack but did promise to provide full information after the investigation is completed.
The bodies of three Al Shabaab agents who were part of this morning’s attacks have been taken to Bossaso and will be examined further.
Spokesman for the Puntland government said that the Golis Mountain militia agents have joined Al Shabaab and are receiving assistance from the terrorist organization as Al Shabaab members try to infiltrate the Golis Mountains once again after there uprising was suppressed in 2010 by Puntland Security forces.
