BOSASO (SD) – About ten motor shells have hit a military base belonging to Puntland state forces in Bari region, al-Shabaab militants claimed Tuesday.

In a statement posted on the militant affiliate website, al-Shabaab claimed that its fighters attacked a Puntland military base in Af-urur area on the outskirts of Bossaso town.

“The mujahideen fighters attacked a military base in Af-Ururu village with motor shells. The attack inflicted heavy casualties on Puntland forces,” the statement by the militant group reads in part.

Witnesses reported nearly 10 shells hit around the base. Puntland forces reportedly responded with artillery fire.

Puntland state authorities have not commented on the attack.

In 2017, Al-Shabaab launched deadly attack on the military base which is located about 100km west of the commercial hub of Bosaso.

The assault began with a blast at the remote camp before the fighters overran the base and killed dozens of Puntland Dervish Army at close range.

Puntland also faces a threat from a faction of Islamic State-linked fighters who have split from al-Shabaab.

Early this week, Puntland and Galmudug state have announced joint operations against al-Shabaab fighters in Mudug region.