IS trains in Somalia's Puntland
In photos released online yesterday, the Islamic State showed fighters within its Somali branch training in a makeshift camp in Somalia’s northern Puntland region. The photo report details the militants undergoing basic weapons and physical training at the so-called “Dawoud al Somali” training camp, which is named after a killed military trainer of the group. Additionally, the jihadist group claims these fighters are new recruits, which is likely given the recruitment efforts in the region. US AFRICOM has noted that the group has been able to recruit new members despite military efforts against it. Ethiopia has also reported that it arrested Islamic State Somalia (ISS) members earlier this month who were recruiting Ethiopians into ISS. The rudimentary camp is likely located somewhere in Puntland’s Bari mountains south of Bosaso, the Islamic State Somalia’s main stronghold . That area has seen numerous Puntland military operations, as well as US air