Puntland, US Target Al-Shabaab Weapons Site in Al-Madow Mountains

GOOBJOOG NEWS | GAROWE: Puntland and the United States have carried out an operation targeting an Al-Shabaab weapons storage site in the Al-Madow (Golis) mountains of northern Somalia, as security forces step up pressure on the group in the region.

The operation targeted a site in Markad, where Puntland authorities said Al-Shabaab had been storing weapons and ammunition used to support its operations and attacks.

Puntland said the operation was conducted in coordination with its security agencies and described it as part of a broader campaign to weaken Al-Shabaab’s operational capacity in northern Somalia.

The security agencies said targeting weapons storage facilities and other infrastructure supporting the group could disrupt its ability to plan and carry out attacks.

The operation comes as Puntland continues security operations against armed groups in the mountainous areas of the north. The Al-Madow range in Sanaag has remained an area of activity involving Al-Shabaab, while Puntland has also been conducting separate operations against Islamic State militants in other parts of the region.

The United States has increased its air operations against Al-Shabaab in Somalia in recent weeks. AFRICOM said it recently conducted strikes against Al-Shabaab facilities in southern Somalia on in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

The latest Puntland operation reflects the growing role of US security cooperation with Somali authorities in targeting armed groups, although the US statements publicly available on recent operations have primarily referred to coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

Puntland and the United States said the operation forms part of continuing efforts to prevent Al-Shabaab from establishing secure operating areas and to reduce its ability to sustain attacks.

Neither side provided details on casualties from the Markad operation.