Saturday December 13, 2025
Garowe (HOL) - Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) on Saturday seized a boat off the coast of Eyl district that was carrying explosives and materials used to manufacture improvised explosive devices.
Preliminary reports indicate that the seized cargo included various chemical substances commonly used in the production of high-impact explosives. The boat was carrying seven people at the time of interception, including two Yemeni nationals and five Somalis.
The seizure comes amid intensified counterterrorism operations by Puntland authorities. In recent days, Puntland officials announced that security forces had destroyed more than 100 ISIS facilities in the Al-Calmiskaad mountains, which the group had used as bases and strategic operational sites.
Puntland Police Chief General Mumin Abdi Shire said the operations dismantled weapons stockpiles and explosives factories used by ISIS to plan and carry out attacks against Puntland’s security forces.
Meanwhile, a recent report by the West Point Institute in the United States found evidence suggesting cooperation between the Yemeni Houthi group and ISIS in Somalia. According to the report, ISIS militants have received training from the Houthis in intelligence gathering, drone operations, and explosives techniques.