An IED explosion in the Al Miskat Mountains on Friday left a Puntland commander and one of his soldiers injured during an anti-ISIS sweep. The troops had been pursuing militants dislodged from a base in the mountainous areas.
The explosion targeted Commander Fu’ad Hannano and his unit as they pressed on with the operation, which began at dawn. Sources say the team was traveling on foot, making them vulnerable to the blast, which disrupted their mission to flush out the militants.
Commander Hannano and a soldier were wounded when the hidden mine detonated. While no official statement has been issued by Puntland authorities, the incident underscores the challenges faced in countering extremist threats in remote, rugged terrain.
Efforts to dismantle ISIS hideouts in Bari region have ramped up recently, with Puntland forces stepping up operations despite the ever-present danger posed by landmines and other traps.
