Garowe-(Puntland Mirror) Puntland has confirmed a counterterrorism operation targeting an al-Shabaab weapons and ammunition storage facility in Markad, in the Al-Madow-Golis mountains, saying the operation was carried out in coordination with U.S. authorities.
Puntland said in a statement that the strike targeted a site used by al-Shabaab to store weapons and ammunition intended to support its operations and attacks in northern Somalia. The government described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the militant group’s capabilities and deny it safe havens.
The announcement comes amid increased U.S. security engagement with Puntland. Earlier this month, Puntland officials and U.S. military representatives discussed expanding cooperation against Islamic State and al-Shabaab in the Calmiskaad and Calmadow mountain ranges.
Political analysts say the wording of any AFRICOM statement on the operation will be significant, particularly in identifying which Somali authority coordinated the strike.
In recent statements on U.S. airstrikes in Somalia, AFRICOM has generally referred to coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. If the Markad operation is instead publicly described as having been coordinated directly with Puntland, analysts could view the language as a notable shift in Washington’s approach to security cooperation in Somalia.
Such a move could draw comparisons with the U.S. “Dual-Track” policy of the early 2010s, when Washington supported the central government while also maintaining direct engagement with regional authorities, including Puntland and Somaliland. Analysts caution, however, that a single military operation or change in official wording would not, on its own, establish a formal return to the Dual-Track policy.
