MOGADISHU, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Forces from Somalia's northern state of Puntland are advancing on the northern Somali port town of Qandala, which is being controlled by militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group, a local official said Monday.
Puntland maritime commander, Abdirizak Diriye, told the media that the forces were 45 km away from Qandala in readiness for a joint operation with marine forces to retake the town.
He added the forces on land were clearing landmines as tanks move towards the town. "We have sent some soldiers ahead to clear the way for landmines and any other explosives."
The pro-IS militants captured Qandala in November, marking the first major assault by the group which is trying to make its foothold on the Horn of Africa country.
Led by Abdulkadir Mumin, a preacher formerly based in Britain, the pro-IS group split from Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaida-linked Islamist group that has been battling the Somali government for a decade in October 2015.
