The Islamic State (IS) group maintains a relatively small presence in Somalia compared to the more dominant al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabaab.
However, the United Nations has warned of a growing IS foothold in the country. This latest attack occurred just days after Puntland authorities announced preparations for a significant military operation targeting IS militants believed to be based in the Almis region.
On the morning of Tuesday, December 31, attackers detonated an explosives-laden vehicle before engaging in a firefight with Security forces in Dharjaale, a town in Puntland, approximately 200 kilometers from the Port city of Bossaso. Puntland’s Government released a statement declaring that the attempted attack, “orchestrated by the bloodthirsty Daesh group, had been thwarted”.
Authorities confirmed that security forces killed all the attackers and displayed the bodies of “eight foreign fighters” linked to IS. Regional reinforcements arrived at the attack site, believed to be the launch point for the assault, but no further details were provided.
Witnesses reported that several government officials were in Dharjaale at the time of the attack. According to one witness, Hassan Madobe, the attackers specifically targeted a residence where the commander of Puntland’s armed forces and a member of parliament were staying. “The security forces prevented the attackers from reaching their target,” he said, adding that he personally saw the bodies of eight attackers.
Another witness, Shuceyb Ahmed, noted that some of the fighters were wearing military uniforms.
Puntland authorities did not disclose whether there were any casualties among civilians or regional forces during the incident.