Islamic State Escalates Military Attacks in Somalia's Puntland

The Islamic State group has taken responsibility for an assault on a military base in Puntland, northeastern Somalia, claiming the lives of 22 Puntland forces. The attack, involving 12 militants and two booby-trapped vehicles, highlights the group's growing strength in the region as part of its global jihadist network.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Wednesday for an attack on a military base in Somalia's northeastern Puntland region, which occurred a day earlier. In a statement posted on its Telegram channel, the Islamic State declared that 12 militants spearheaded the attack using two explosive-laden vehicles, resulting in 22 fatalities among Puntland forces and several injuries.

Authorities in Somalia were not immediately available for comment. On Tuesday, Somali security forces stated they had repelled an Islamic State suicide bomb attack on a Puntland military base, as reported by the local state broadcaster and confirmed by a military official.

Captain Yusuf Mohamed of Puntland's counter-terrorism forces informed Reuters that nine suicide bombers were neutralized and several soldiers sustained injuries near Dharjaale in the Bari region. Since being recognized as the Somali province of Islamic State in 2017, the group has strengthened, gaining foreign fighters and funding, positioning itself as a central figure in the jihadist network across Africa.

(With inputs from agencies.)