Monday August 3, 2026
Bosaso (HOL) — At least eight Puntland security personnel were killed and several others wounded in a roadside bomb explosion in Somalia's Bari region on Sunday, according to local reports.
Puntland authorities had not issued an official statement by Sunday evening confirming the death toll or providing details about the circumstances of the attack.
The attack came as Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni met in Bosaso with senior officials from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) to discuss security cooperation and ongoing counterterrorism efforts in northeastern Somalia.
The explosion also occurred days after Puntland redeployed a number of security personnel from front-line positions to participate in celebrations marking the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Puntland administration.
Puntland security forces have been conducting sustained operations against Islamic State militants in the Bari mountains while continuing efforts to prevent al-Shabab from expanding its presence in the region.
