BOSSASO (SD) – Fighters from the Daesh group, consisting of Somalis and foreigners, launched a strong attack this morning, starting with a suicide bombing, on a base of the Puntland defense forces in Dharjalle, Bari region.

The attack resulted in significant casualties, including deaths and injuries on both sides. Reports also indicate that civilians near the attacked base were affected.

A statement from Puntland’s counter-terrorism forces said they thwarted the attack by Daesh this morning, killing all members of the attacking group.

“The Puntland Counter-Terrorism Forces in Dharjaalle, Bari region, foiled a terrorist attack planned by the Daesh bloodsuckers this morning, killing all the attackers, mostly foreigners,” said the Puntland military statement.

Puntland claimed that the attacking group consisted of both foreigners and Somalis, mentioning that the killed foreigners included Arabs and Ethiopians. The forces have moved towards the areas where the attackers launched their assault.

This morning’s attack on the Puntland defense forces comes at a time when the Puntland administration in Bari region is preparing the final operations to eliminate armed militias from Daesh and Al-Shabaab in the Bari mountains.