Puntland State of Somalia to Establish Naval Base in Las Qoray

**The soon-to-be established Puntland naval base in Las Qoray will strengthen Puntland’s capacity to combat piracy, terrorist networks and illegal charcoal trafficking.**

Las Qorey (PP News Desk) — Puntland State of Somalia plans to deploy units of the Puntland Marine Police Force (PMPF) to Las Qoray district in Sanaag. A source close to the Puntland State government told Puntland Post that plans to establish a naval base in the historic coastal district are in the final stages. The first unit is expected to arrive at the Las Qoray quays next week.

The plan, which until recently had been kept under wraps, forms a key part of Operation Onkod, the counterterrorism campaign launched by Puntland against Daesh in December.

Puntland currently controls more than 50% of Sanaag, where Puntland local government elections were held in 2023.

Earlier this year, armed boats belonging to clan militias reportedly funded by the secessionist administration of Somaliland attacked Las Qoray but were repelled by PMPF gunboats sent from Boosaaso. The new naval base will strengthen Puntland’s capacity to combat piracy, terrorist networks and illegal charcoal trafficking.