Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Attack on Puntland Military Base in Somalia

The Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for a deadly assault on a military base in Somalia's northeastern Puntland region. The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, involved 12 militants and two booby-trapped vehicles, according to a statement released on the group’s Telegram channel on Wednesday. IS claims that the assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 22 Puntland military personnel and left dozens more injured.

Somali authorities have yet to provide an official response to the incident.

On Tuesday, Puntland's security forces reported that they had successfully repelled a suicide bombing attack targeting the military base near Dharjaale in the Bari region. Captain Yusuf Mohamed, an officer in Puntland’s counter-terrorism unit, told Reuters that nine suicide bombers were killed during the attack, though several soldiers sustained injuries.

The Islamic State’s Somali faction, officially recognized as a province of the broader group in 2017, has primarily operated from the mountainous terrain of Puntland. Historically considered a lesser threat compared to al-Shabaab, the IS-Somalia faction has recently gained prominence within the jihadist network.

Under the leadership of Abdulqadir Mumin, the group has reportedly expanded its influence, attracting foreign fighters and increasing its financial resources through local extortion efforts. Security analysts note that IS-Somalia is emerging as a significant player in the region, with some dubbing it the “nerve center” of IS operations in Africa.

This development underscores the growing security challenges in Somalia, where both al-Shabaab and IS factions continue to threaten stability in the region. Authorities remain vigilant as the extremist groups escalate their operations, further complicating Somalia's path toward peace and security.