​Somalia:Puntland forces haven’t recaptured Qandala, says security official

BOSASSO, Puntland- Puntland Maritime Police official, Abdirazaq Farah Diriya, has dismissed reports that joint Puntland security forces have regained control of Qandala port town on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

In VOA interview via Satellite phone, Diriya stated that joint pro-government forces are still positioned at an area close to Qandala, as they are preparing to launch offensive against the militants. Contrary to recent report by BBC stating that Puntland forces have entered port town Qandala. 

He also dismissed that Colonel Abdinasir Aynab Ali aka “Haayow” who was interviewed by BBC, to be an official at Puntland Maritime Forces, as they claimed in their recent report.  

Diriya indicated that there are no additional causalities apart from yesterday encounter with ISIS fighters in the surrounding areas, which resulted in the death of 7 militants.

He also stated that telecommunication services were cut off from Qandala and nearby villages, as officials from the telecommunication company indicated service blackout due to technical causes.

The conflicting reports come amid lack of local journalists for BBC in Puntland region.

GAROWEONLINE