The United States is expanding a military base in Puntland

The United States is expanding a military base in the territory of the autonomous region of Puntland in eastern Somalia.

This was reported by the administration of the region's head, Said Abdullahi Deni, on its official website.

As noted, the issues of expanding the base under construction were discussed during Deni's meeting with the commander of special operations of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in East Africa, Colonel James Rose. The meeting took place during the American officer's visit to Bosaso.

In addition, the parties discussed strengthening cooperation in the field of security, the fight against terrorism, and ensuring the safety of navigation.

At present, American service members are taking part in combat operations against the extremist group al-Shabaab in the mountainous areas of El-Miskad and El-Madow, are conducting operations against pirates, and are also involved in training service members of the Puntland Defense Forces.

The agreement with Puntland on expanding the military base under construction, located on the coast of the Gulf of Aden in the port of Bosaso, became known about a month ago. The federal government of Somalia has not yet commented on the new arrangement.

Earlier, Mogadishu opposed the independent conclusion of such agreements by regions with foreign states, noting that foreign policy and national defense fall within the powers of the central authorities.