Somalia: An airstrike kills four civilians from the same family in Puntland

GAROWE, Somalia - An airstrike in the rural Qandala district of Puntland has killed four members of the same family and wounded six others, local authorities said Tuesday. Qandala Mayor Ahmed Khuurshe confirmed the casualties but did not specify who carried out the attack.

The strike took place during ongoing operations by the Puntland Defense Forces (PDF) against ISIS militants in the Al-Miskaat Mountains of the Bari region, which saw the capture of dozens of bases from the group and the killing of foreign fighters.

The family targeted in the airstrike, known as the Reer Yusuf Mohamud Salah family, lost two women in the attack. Their names have been reported as Hawo Ahmed Salah and Ladan Isma'il Mumin.

No further details were immediately available about the identity of those responsible for the strike or the precise objectives of the military actions. This incident comes as ISIS is fleeing from their hideouts due to military pressure. 

With no support from the Federal Government of Somalia, Puntland is fighting ISIS and Al-Shabaab in the Bari mountains and the self-reliance has shown significant gains and progress in the counter-terrorism offensive.

The local people are supporting Puntland forces in the war on Al-Shabaab and ISIS which pose a potent threat to the security of the northeastern Federal State.

GAROWE ONLINE