On 16 March 2025, overnight, Islamic State Somalia Province attacked Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) and engaged them in an armed clash in Xabley village (Bossaso, Bari). Casualties unknown.

Summary

In the early hours of March 16, 2025, armed clashes occurred in Hableley village, Bosaso region, Bari province, Somalia, when Islamic State Somalia (IS-Somalia) attacked the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF). The scale of casualties has not yet been confirmed, but this demonstrates the continued security instability in Somalia's northern coastal region.

Supply-chain impact

• Bosaso is a major port city in northern Somalia, and increased terrorist activity near the Red Sea-Indian Ocean maritime route could negatively impact maritime transport security
• Deepening instability in Somalia's coastal regions raises concerns about expanded East African maritime logistics risks if combined with pirate activities
• Could act as an indirect security cost factor for Asia-Europe container shipping using the Gulf of Aden-Red Sea route
• Expected to place additional burden on UN maritime security activities and multinational naval operations in the region

Watch points

• Need to assess regional security situation by confirming casualty scale and PMPF response capabilities within the next 48-72 hours
• Requirement to track changes in IS-Somalia's coastal attack patterns and whether the Puntland government strengthens counter-terrorism operations