Puntland – Twenty soldiers were killed by al Shabaab militants during an attack on a military base in Puntland in Somalia on Thursday.
Strategic Intelligence News reported that the dawn attack targeted the Af Urur military base about 70 km west of Bosaso port town.
The base is located close to the Galgala Mountains, which at one time served as a base for the jihadists in the semi-autonomous Puntland region.
The militants attempted to lay siege to the military base by firing heavy mortar rounds in what was described as one of the most devastating attacks in recent years.
Military sources stated that Puntland forces responded swiftly by shelling mortars at different locations, prompting the enemy to disintegrate and flee into the thicket.
Following the attack, Puntland's Security Minister, Abdiaziz Hirsi, denied al Shabaab's claim that they had killed 61 soldiers, saying the matter was still being investigated and that a comprehensive statement would be released later.
However, shortly afterwards, Major Mohamed Abdi, a military officer in Puntland said that during the heavy fighting, 20 soldiers had been killed and 14 military vehicles burnt.
"We have now retaken the town."
Meanwhile, Kenya's anti-Terror Police Unit (ATPU) arrested five youths who were on their way to Somalia to join Al Shabaab.
Three were were arrested on Tuesday along Isiolo-Garba-Tula road near Garissa border, while two others were arrested at Bute in Wajir County in Kenya.
The arrest of the youths, all aged below 20, followed an intelligence tip-off. The youths hail from Tulluroba and Chechelesi estates, from where dozens of young men are reported to have travelled to Somalia to join Al Shabaab.
According to Isiolo County Commissioner, the five have been placed under surveillance and were undergoing interrogation to provide further information on what their plans were.
According to the police they are also assisting them in carrying out further investigations into those who were responsible for recruiting youth in the County.
Strategic Intelligence News believes al Shabaab in Somalia is attempting to ideologically inspire followers and sympathisers through religious symbolism.
This includes using religious events told in the Holy Quran in theatre performances to sell their extremism and advance their sole goal of overthrowing the internationally-backed government in order to install their strict interpretation of Islamist Sharia Law.
The group has been behind the death of hundreds and has carried out numerous attacks, both in the capital Mogadishu, and in the rural areas of the country, targeting security forces and civilians.