Somalia: Bomb blast kills Security Officials outside Bosaso

BOSASO, Puntland - A powerful landmine explosion has killed two security officials in Somalia's northwestern semi-autonomous region of Puntland on Wednesday, Dec 20, Garowe Online reports.

An army officer at the scene, who asked not to be named, told GO that a bomb planted on the side of the road in Galgala mountainous area tore through a military vehicle carrying Puntland Security Force [PSF].

The explosion struck the army convoy at Madarshoon, about 75 kilometers away from the port city of Bosaso, the regional capital of Bari region while traveling to their bases in the volatile Galgala hills.

"Two Puntland Security Force members [PSF] were killed and two others wounded after their vehicle was hit by a remote-controlled land mine at Madarshoon area, close to Bosaso," he said.

Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for Wednesday's bombing, saying it killed senior officials, including the operations commander of PSF Col Galayr Hassan Yusuf and another official whom it identified as Barkhad Farah Isse.

The attack comes amid a surge in deadly attacks and assassinations against Puntland security forces in the area and in Bosaso city by Al Shabaab and pro-Islamic State militants over the past few months.

Puntland government has not yet commented on the blast.

GAROWE ONLINE