A roadside bomb killed three Puntland soldiers on Sunday during anti-ISIS operations in northeastern Somalia, officials said.
The blast hit near Markadaan, close to Turmusaale — an area recently recaptured from ISIS — targeting an ambulance carrying Puntland security personnel.
Three soldiers were killed and others injured when the vehicle struck a roadside IED. The wounded received treatment at military facilities nearby.
No group claimed responsibility, but officials blamed ISIS, known locally as Daesh, which previously conducted similar attacks in the same region.
Despite recent losses, ISIS militants remain active in Cal Miskaad, using mobile sleeper cells to launch attacks and evade security forces.
The bombing comes as Puntland enters phase four of its anti-ISIS campaign, using ground and air power to clear remaining fighters.
