The defense forces of Somalia's northeastern state of Puntland have launched a massive raid on Al Shabaab positions in Sugure village near the Golis mountain range, inflicting casualties on the militants, Garowe Online reports.
Col. Jama Said Warsame, the commander of Puntland defense force units stationed in the Galgala area on Sunday confirmed to Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe during a telephone interview that in regard to intelligence briefings, two battalions of Puntland forces decided to dismantle Al Shabaab bases.

"Our forces moved in to Harar-hawle and Adayle vicinities to clean up and secure the areas from the threats of Al Shabaab remnants,” said Col. Warsame.

He also noted that Al Shabaab militiamen fled to Galgala town outskirts where Puntland government forces targeted with mortar rounds and artillery fires.

"Al Shabaab fighter was killed and three others wounded in the cleanup operation,” Col. Warsame Added.

Al Qaeda linked extremists; Al Shabaab began to regroup in Golis mountain ranges after African Union troops propping up the Somali Federal Government forces removed the militants from a string of strategic towns in southern Somalia, subsequently leading Puntland government to wage massive military offensives against Al Shabaab hideouts in mid-2010.

GAROWE ONLINE