Somalia's Puntland Police foil terror attack key port city

BOSSASO, Puntland - Police in Puntland, the northern Federal State of Somalia, foiled an attempted terrorists attack in the commercial city of Bosaso, which targeted innocent civilians and security officers, in the latest attempt by the militants to create mayhem and havoc in the country.

The would-be attack, police said, targeted some important buildings within the coastal city, which has been lately facing terror attacks both from the Al-Qaeda linked group, the Al-Shabaab and a group linked to the ISIS, and which has also bases in Bari mountains.

Hussein Mohamud, the Bari region police boss, hailed local residents for working closely with the police to thwart the attack, which would have cost many lives, especially innocent civilians as the country prepares to go for an election any time from this month.

"We are happy that the close collaboration between security forces and civilians helped us to foil the attack which would have otherwise been devastating. We encourage this kind of genuine cooperation for the sake of safety within our state," he told reporters.

He added: "We shall continue to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that security is maintained as we end the year. Criminal elements will not be allowed to thrive within Puntland and to a larger extent in Somalia, we just want peace."

A rather peaceful state, Puntland saw an increase of terror attacks this year particularly in the Bari region, with both Al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia claiming responsibility for a number of those attacks. Nugaal governor was killed in April within Garowe by Al-Shabaab terrorists.

The group has confirmed taking part in the attempted attack but both groups are associated with such kinds of raids. Although the target is also not yet known, the groups often target security forces, government officials, and innocent civilians.

While ISIS-Somalia has a huge presence within Puntland, Al-Shabaab controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia. The two groups have been also fighting against each other due to conflicting ideologies and missions.

GAROWE ONLINE