Government forces in the semiautonomous Somali region of Puntland have made two military offensives against allies of the Shabaab militant group, trying to drive back insurgent fighters who have been gaining ground in a comparatively stable area of northeastern Somalia.
Officials in Puntland said that at least 18 militants and 3 government soldiers were killed Sunday in fierce fighting in mountain villages along the northern coast, near the port town of Boosaaso.
Hundreds of government troops, along with dozens of armed civilians who volunteered to join the fight, stormed the rebel-controlled villages, Puntland officials said.