Somalia: Puntland Soldiers killed in Two Separate Attacks near Galgala

BOSSASO, Puntland - At least Three soldiers were killed, and several injured in separate Al shabaab attacks on Puntland Security Forces (PSF) near Galgala mountains in the northeastern Bari region in the past 48 hours, Garowe Online reports.

The first attack took place on Friday afternoon, after an estimated 60 heavily armed militants have launched a raid against a defensive outpost manned by PSF, inflicting casualties upon the soldiers on duty.

Reliable sources told GO that the soldier lost his life in the mortar shells fired by Al shabaab extremists at the army base. The regional troops have successfully repulsed the militants during the attack.

"At least 60 fighters have raided Puntland army base in Galgala mountains, using mortar bombs and machine guns. The troops fended off the attack that left one soldier dead," a security official, who asked not to be named, told GO over the phone.

In a separate incident, two soldier have been killed and another was injured in an apparent landmine blast in Balli Khadar area, while heading to Galgala. The incident occurred when the soldiers walked in a minefield, sources said.

Puntland state security officials are yet to comment on the attacks, but Al shabaab claimed the responsibility for the mortar and IED assaults through a statement posted on its affiliated media outlets, saying it killed 12 soldiers.

The situation in Galgala mountains returned to normal following the attack, despite a persistent threat from the terrorist groups against Puntland security forces and the local civilians.

In June, 2017, dozens of soldiers were killed, many injured in a massive Al shabaab attack on Af-Urur camp, about 100km west of the commercial hub of Bossaso, the deadliest raid since Puntland began the fight against Al shabaab in Galgala Mountains.

Puntland State forces are facing dual challenges from the Al-Qaida-linked Al-Shabaab and the growing presence of fighters linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group.

GAROWEONLINE