On Tuesday, Somali forces successfully defended a military base in Puntland from an Islamic State (Daesh)* suicide bomb attack, local media reported.
This was Daesh's first large-scale, sophisticated attack in Somalia, occurring weeks after Puntland launched an offensive against Daesh and al Shabaab. A counter-terrorism officer confirmed nine suicide bombers were killed in the assault.
Though initially a minor threat, the Somali Daesh group, based in Puntland since 2017, has become a key part of the global network. Its leader, Abdulqadir Mumin, is reportedly now a global leader within the organization.
Security analysts attribute Daesh in Somalia's growing strength to foreign fighters and extortion, calling it the group's "nerve center" in Africa. These analysts suggest that this attack was likely a preemptive move before Puntland’s offensive and may be an attempt to copy al Shabaab's complex tactics.
*a terrorist group outlawed in Russia and many other countries