Somalia, ISIS attack on Puntland military base

According to reports, a clash between Puntland forces and ISIS militants took place in the middle of the night on 24 March in the Dhaban-Qooxle area of the Xabley Mountains, Ufayn district, Bari region. ISIS militants attacked a military base and heavy gunfire ensued. Puntland forces reportedly repelled the attack and killed an unspecified number of militants. A single casualty was recorded among the soldiers, while nine others sustained injuries. Puntland forces have clashed frequently with ISIS forces in March and in recent days. President Said Abdullahi Deni recently announced the third phase of military operations to oust ISIS from the country, although it has been noted that Puntland forces have yet to reach some of the group’s strongholds, with a focus on the mountainous Bari region.