BOSSASO, Puntland — Colonel James Rose, commander of U.S. Special Operations in East Africa, met with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni in Bossaso for talks focused on security cooperation and ongoing counterterrorism efforts, according to the Puntland Presidency.
The discussions covered efforts to accelerate the establishment of a U.S. base in Bossaso, operations against ISIS and Al-Shabaab militants in the Calmiskaad and Calmadow mountain ranges, and measures to combat piracy off Puntland’s coast.
The United States has stepped up high-level visits and security engagement in Puntland, Jubaland and Somaliland in recent months.