At least three civilians were killed and seven others sustained serious injuries after the Al-Shabaab group—which maintains bases in the Cal Madow Mountains—shelled the village of Galgala, located in the Bosaso district.
According to reports, this bombardment was part of an artillery attack launched by Al-Shabaab this morning against positions held by Puntland forces in Galgala, resulting in an exchange of fire between the two sides that lasted for several minutes.
The full extent of casualties resulting from the confrontation—specifically regarding losses among Puntland forces and Al-Shabaab fighters—remains unknown.
This attack comes just days after Puntland security forces conducted operations against Al-Shabaab in the Cal Madow Mountains.
Puntland forces recently reported killing four individuals suspected of being members of Al-Shabaab, who were accused of planting landmines on routes used by security forces in the Galgala Mountains.
Military officials stated that a landmine explosion, linked to the group, had previously resulted in the death of a local elder from the Galgala area, while several soldiers were also killed or wounded in similar incidents. Officials also stated that Puntland forces subsequently conducted an operation in the area, during which two individuals—reported to have been wounded in an earlier airstrike—were killed.
The Cal Madow Mountains have served as a base for Al-Shabaab fighters for years, and Puntland forces have been carrying out operations there aimed at weakening the group’s strength.
Puntland has also announced “Operation Unkod,” which targets Al-Shabaab militants located in the mountainous terrain of Cal Madow.
