BOSSASO (SD) – Puntland security forces in northeastern Somalia have thwarted potential al-Shabaab terror attack in Bossaso town.

In a statement, Puntland Security Forces said they seized materials used for making explosives.

The forces stated that Al-Shabaab was plotting to carry out attacks using explosives in Bossaso but did not disclose the target of the attack.

Puntland states have recently intensified operations against al-Shabaab and ISIS members in the states.

Dozens of fighters from both groups were nabbed and prosecuted with some slapped with death penalties.

Al-Shabaab militants have previously carried out deadly attacks in Bossaso town.

In May last year, over eight people were injured after a bomb went off outside a court in the town.

The attack claimed by al-Shabaab which said the target was the court premises.

ISIS militants also carried out assassinations against government officials and soldiers.

ISIS in Puntland state was formed in October 2015 after a small group of fighters from al-Shabaab group broke away and pledged allegiance to IS emir Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.