Puntland forces kill over 20 Al-Shabaab militants after prison raid

BOSSASO, Puntland - Puntland security forces responded to the Al-Shabaab raid in Bosaso main prison by carrying out several operations in the outskirts of the town, just at the same time when regional leader Said Abdullahi Deni visited the region, following the attack.

Thursday's raid at the central prison was one of the most successful Al-Shabaab operations in Puntland, a state which is rather peaceful, and where it's difficult to have Al-Shabaab militants control some sections. Puntland is a state in northern Somalia.

Security forces told Garowe Online that at least 20 Al-Shabaab militants were killed in the outskirts of the port town following an offensive that was informed by the raid. Earlier on, at least four militants were captured alive and will be interrogated by the security forces.

Details obtained by Garowe Online also indicate that the militants were overpowered when they tried to attack security forces. Officials displayed dozens of people believed to be prisoners who had been freed by the Al-Shabaab militants.

One of the inmates recaptured reportedly said that the militants made away with some prisoners. The militants, who confirmed the attack at the prison, had claimed that they targeted freeing a number of fighters who were at the facility in Central prison.

Bari Regional Police chief Hussein Ali Mohamud had told reporters that terrorists attacked Bossaso jail and we're "repulsed" by security guards. He said inmates were re-arrested, adding that security forces were still doing investigations over the incident.

Deni visited the region moments after the attack and was donned in military gear, an indication that his administration was ready to pursue the attackers and take swift actions against them. While Puntland has been registering terror attacks, they are however random and inconsistent given that the militants are extremely few in the state.

Reports showed that the militants used complex attacks with sources telling local reporters militants entered the prison. The Al-Shabaab claimed to release 400 inmates, but no independent corroboration yet, but the photos published by Puntland officials indicate that a number of prisoners escaped.

GAROWE ONLINE