Thursday January 23, 2025

Garowe (HOL) –Puntland regional administration has on Thursday displayed
a helicopter to assist its forces in their ongoing operations against the
Islamic State group in the Bari region.

The aircraft will primarily transport military supplies and
evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield, where challenging mountainous
terrain has hampered emergency responses. 

The helicopter will deliver critical supplies, such as
medicine, to soldiers deployed on the front lines. The remote and rugged areas
where the clashes are occurring are often inaccessible to traditional emergency
vehicles. 

While Puntland officials did not disclose the origin of the
helicopter, they emphasized that it reflects the administration’s commitment to
increasing support for its forces as they work to eliminate the Islamic State’s
presence in the region. 

Brigadier General Mohamud Mohamed Ahmed, spokesperson for
Puntland’s security operations, reported that 15 Islamic State fighters and
seven Puntland soldiers were killed during intense clashes on Sunday and
Monday. Over the two days of fighting, more than 20 people lost their lives,
with at least 10 others injured. 

This week’s violence follows Puntland’s military offensive,
launched last month after months of preparation, targeting extremist groups
operating in the region. Although Puntland has faced threats from both
Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants, the current operation is focused on
eradicating the Islamic State group.