The commander of the Cal Miskaad area in Somalia’s Puntland region, Brigadier General Mahmoud Shire Mohamed, has spoken about large-scale military operations being carried out by Puntland forces in the Cal Miskaad mountains, where members of Islamic State are believed to be hiding.
Brig Gen Mohamed said a foreign national affiliated with Islamic State blew himself up on Thursday night after Puntland forces wounded him.
According to the commander, the man had been attempting to plant a landmine on a road linking the areas of Sheebaab and Dhaadaar when he was intercepted by Puntland forces.
He said the incident was part of ongoing military operations targeting armed groups operating in the mountainous area.
The commander also said Puntland forces had launched wider operations against Islamic State on Thursday, targeting several locations in the Cal Miskaad mountains.
The latest operations come as Puntland has intensified its military activity against Islamic State in recent weeks, particularly in the mountainous areas of Bari region.
