Late Col Jama Warsame

A Senior Military Commander of the Puntland military forces has been killed in an improvised explosive device attack on Monday evening, reports confirm.

The attack took place in Yalho village, which is some 40-km South of Puntland’s main commercial hub city of Bosaso as he was travelling on an armored vehicle.

Col Jama Said Warsame, who was the Puntland forces Commander stationed in Galgala mountain ranges area, was later on rushed to the Bosaso main hospital where he later died of serious injuries sustained from the explosion.

No group has yet claimed the responsibility of the attack. Puntland government officials have also not commented on this attack.

At least three of his bodyguards were also injured in the attack.

On Monday, Puntland military court sentenced eight alleged al-Shabab members each to 20 years of prison.

Puntland forces have been fighting with the al-Shabab insurgents in Galgala Mountains who have carried out attacks and assassinations in the region.

Last week, the US government authorised a $3 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of three al-Shabab militants whom one of them is Yasin Kilwe, the head or Emir of the group in Galgala mountain ranges, a move which was welcomed by the Puntland government.