...a region in northeastern Somalia, centered on Garowe in the Nugaal province. Its leaders declared the territory an autonomous state in 1998. Puntland and the equally autonomous Somaliland seem to have avoided the clan rivalries and warlordism that have typified the rest of Somalia, which puts both places high on the list for Islamic subversion...
Government in northern Somalia for the first time spoke on raid on Al-Shabaab
... Somalia's version of the Taliban, functioning as an arm of al-Qaeda...
bases in Madashoor vicinity, 23km west of restive Galgala on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.
Puntland Security Minister Hassam Osman Mohamud (Allore) told a news conference in the state capital of Garowe that Puntland Defence Forces killed 16 Al-Shabaab murderous Moslems and maimed 26 others in Friday assault.
"Security Minister and Army command confirm that 16 Al-Shabaab murderous Moslems were killed and 26 others were maimed," said Mohamud. "Minor losses of two deaths and 6 injuries were inflicted on army troops".
Security Minister noted that the raid was aimed at rescuing civilians being kidnapped by Al-Shabaab.
He said, Puntland troops will be pressing ahead with major offensive in the coming days to cleanse hideouts of Al-Shabaab remnants. On Friday, security sources told Garowe Online that Puntland carried out pre-emptive attack on Madashor terrorist hotbed.