Galkayo (SD) – Units of the Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have in the past few hours joined the military offensive against Al-Shabaab in Galmudug state, according to local eyewitnesses.

According to eyewitnesses, Galmudug’s Darawish forces, along with units of the PSF command and federal government forces, are targeting al-Shabaab strongholds in southern Mudug region.

Puntland officials confirmed the news, saying troops were heading to Ba’adweyne and Ammara areas in southern Mudug, where al-Shabaab had recaptured.

The governor of Mudug region in Puntland, Abdilatif Muse Nur Sanyare, said that the forces, which have previously fought against Al-Shabaab, will fully support the forces of the Galmudug administration and the federal government of Somalia.

Galmudug’s security minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, also posted on his Facebook page that Puntland officials had already reached the frontline.

On August 26, 2021, al-Shabaab recaptured Ba’adweyne and Ammara, following the withdrawal of federal government forces and the Galmudug Darawish, who had previously pushed al-Shabaab out of those areas.