Somalia: Puntland forces seize fighters, trucks in surprise raid on militant hideout
18 Oct 18, 2010 - 11:28:46 AM
The security forces of Somalia's Puntland State government initiated operation of searching Somali hard-line, Al-Shabaab in the Galgala hills, in northern Somalia, Radio Garowe reports.
The operation were joined by armed forces, reportedly tightened security in Dhagahdhere, Karin Haragode, Dindigle and Dareeye, where the Al Shabaab-allied militia led by Mohamed Said Atom have been hiding in recent months in the face of a Puntland military offensive.
According to one of government forces who spoke with Garowe Online, four prisoners and two trucks were seized by Puntland security forces.
Local reports indicated that Puntland troops are infiltrating deeper into the forrested and hilly area where Atom's Al Shabaab fighters are hiding.
On the other hand, Puntland government forces poured into the streets in the port city of Bossaso as a show of force while military operations continued in Galgala, a hilly area roughly 60 southwest of Bossaso.
Atom is a notorious warlord and arms dealer based in the Sanaag mountains straddling Puntland and Somaliland. Puntland and the breakaway region of Somaliland have been relatively stable compared with the central and southern Somalia in recent years.
Puntland's government accuses Atom of being responsible for a string of bombings and assassinations of Puntland government officials. Last week, Puntland Information Minister Abdihakim Ahmed Guled escaped a roadside bombing blamed on the Galgala militants.
GAROWE ONLINE
