Garowe (KAAB TV) – At least ten Puntland Security Forces soldiers were killed and five others injured in a roadside explosion on Daraimadobe road in northeastern Somalia’s Bari region.
The soldiers targeted in the attack were members of the Third Battalion of the Puntland Darwish Army. They were en route as part of an ongoing military operation against the Islamic State-affiliated militant group Daesh, near the Ballade River area — a known stronghold of the extremist group.
This incident marks one of the most significant losses for the Puntland Defense Forces in recent months.
Among those killed were senior figures in the regional security apparatus, including the commander of the Second Battalion and the head of the Peacekeeping Division, General Abdi Ali Qalyare.
Their deaths represent a serious blow to the leadership and morale of the Puntland forces engaged in counterterrorism operations.
The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by Daesh militants has become a growing threat, especially in areas previously liberated from their control.
These attacks are increasingly hindering Puntland’s efforts to completely eradicate Daesh from the rugged and remote regions of Bari, where the group has established hideouts and supply routes.
Local security sources have revealed that some individuals from nearby rural communities are suspected of collaborating with Daesh fighters, allegedly aiding in the planning and execution of bomb attacks.
Several of these suspected collaborators are reportedly under investigation in Bosaso, the commercial capital of Puntland.
In a related development, Puntland Defense Forces launched a planned counterterrorism operation earlier this morning in the areas of Al Barako and Shinkalod, located along the Ballade River.
According to official military sources, the operation resulted in the deaths of three Daesh fighters, further demonstrating Puntland’s continued resolve to dismantle terrorist networks operating within its territory.
The Bari region has been the epicenter of Daesh activity in Somalia since the group’s emergence in 2015. Despite losing territory, Daesh remains a persistent threat, leveraging guerrilla tactics and local enablers to launch attacks on security forces and civilians alike.
The Puntland administration, under mounting pressure to ensure regional stability and security, has vowed to intensify operations against Daesh and its affiliates.
The continued loss of experienced military personnel underscores the complex and dangerous nature of the fight against extremism in Somalia’s northeastern frontier.
Authorities have called on local communities to cooperate with security forces and report any suspicious activities, emphasizing that defeating terrorism requires a united front involving both military strength and civilian support.