MOGADISHU, Somalia — August 2, 2026 — More than 10 Puntland soldiers were reportedly killed after a landmine explosion struck their military vehicle in the Sheebaab area of Qandala district in Somalia’s Bari region on Sunday. Local security sources said the blast destroyed the vehicle, while authorities had not immediately released an official casualty figure or identified those killed.

A military vehicle carrying Puntland security forces hit what local sources described as a roadside landmine in the Sheebaab area of Qandala district, triggering a powerful explosion that reportedly killed all soldiers on board.

According to local residents and security sources, more than 10 soldiers died in the blast. The reported casualty figure has not been independently verified, and Puntland authorities had not issued a detailed statement at the time of publication.

No armed group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The explosion occurred in a region where Puntland forces have been conducting sustained military operations against Islamic State, also known as Daesh, over the past two years. Security analysts say the group continues to rely on improvised explosive devices (IEDs), ambushes and hit-and-run attacks despite losing territory during Puntland’s counterterrorism campaign.

Casualties and Security Impact

According to local security sources, the explosion destroyed the military vehicle, leaving little chance of survival for those inside.

Officials have yet to confirm the identities of those killed or announce whether additional troops were wounded in the incident.

The reported attack highlights the continuing danger posed by roadside explosives in the mountainous areas of Bari region, where security forces frequently patrol roads connecting operational zones.

Military operations in the region have focused on dismantling militant hideouts and disrupting supply routes used by armed groups operating in the Cal Miskaad mountain range.

Puntland authorities had not immediately commented publicly on the reported attack.

Security officials are expected to assess the scene and provide further information after completing preliminary investigations into the explosion.

There was also no immediate indication of whether security operations in the area would be expanded following the incident.

Qandala district has remained one of Puntland’s most sensitive security areas because of the long-standing presence of Islamic State militants in parts of Bari region.

In October 2016, Islamic State fighters briefly seized the coastal town of Qandala in one of the group’s most significant operations in Somalia. Puntland security forces later recaptured the town following a military offensive, but militants continued to maintain bases in remote mountainous areas surrounding the district.

The Sheebaab area has featured prominently in Puntland’s recent counterterrorism campaign. In early 2025, Puntland forces announced they had captured Sheebaab from Islamic State fighters during operations targeting militant strongholds in the Cal Miskaad mountains.

Despite those gains, militants have continued to launch attacks using landmines and improvised explosive devices against security forces.

In September 2025, senior Puntland military commander General Ahmed Abdi Qalyare was killed after a military vehicle struck a roadside bomb in the Dhasaan area of Qandala district. The attack underscored the continued ability of militants to target military convoys despite ongoing offensives.

Earlier this year, Islamic State militants were also reported to have fired mortar rounds toward Sheebaab, damaging telecommunications infrastructure in the village, according to local media reports.

Puntland launched one of its largest military campaigns against Islamic State in late 2024, deploying thousands of security personnel to clear militant positions across the Cal Miskaad mountain range. Officials have repeatedly announced the capture of strategic bases, weapons caches and supply routes used by the group.

Although Puntland says the campaign has significantly weakened Islamic State’s operational capabilities, security experts note that the group continues to adapt by relying on guerrilla tactics, including roadside bombs and surprise attacks against military patrols.

Authorities are expected to release additional details after completing investigations into the explosion and verifying the number of casualties.

Security operations in Qandala district are also expected to continue as Puntland forces seek to prevent further attacks and maintain pressure on remaining militant cells operating in the Bari region.

Whether the attack marks an isolated incident or signals an increase in militant activity is likely to become clearer as security officials release further information in the coming days.

The reported deaths of more than 10 Puntland soldiers demonstrate that roadside bombs remain one of the most effective weapons used by Islamic State militants despite months of military pressure. Such attacks can inflict significant casualties without requiring militants to directly confront security forces.

The incident also highlights the challenge facing Puntland’s counterterrorism campaign. While authorities have regained territory and disrupted militant infrastructure, maintaining security across the rugged mountains and isolated roads of Bari region remains difficult.