Somalia: Suicide bombing in Bossasso (Puntland) May 23; four killed

Event

According to police sources, an unidentified suicide bomber detonated his device at a military checkpoint in the port city of Bossasso, the capital of the semiautonomous state of Puntland, on Tuesday, May 23. Four people were killed, including two soldiers. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack although Al-Shabaab is suspected.

Context

Al-Shabaab continues to control large zones in the south and center of the country and attacks have been on the rise in the northern parts of Somalia, including Puntland, since late 2016. The group often targets government officials and military infrastructure in a bid to topple the Western- and United Nations-backed government and impose its own strict interpretation of Islam in Somalia.

Puntland, an arid region of northeast Somalia, declared itself an autonomous state in August 1998 to distance itself from the clan warfare engulfing southern Somalia.

Advice

Individuals present in the abovementioned area are advised to expect increased security measures and to monitor developments to the situation.

Due to the high threat of terrorism, individuals present throughout Somalia are advised to avoid government and institutional buildings as well as political events due to al-Shabaab's tendency to target political figures and security forces. Because of extremely poor security conditions, travel should only be considered with appropriate security precautions in place.