Regional Somali force moves to secure area after US attack

MOGADISHU (AFP) - Forces from the Somali semi-autonomous state of Puntland on Sunday moved to secure mountainous and remote areas where a US warship shelled suspected Al-Qaeda targets, residents said.

Hundreds of heavily-armed fighters were patrolling the Bargal area, about 1,250 kilometers (780 miles) northeast of the Somali capital Mogadishu, the residents said.

"Puntland has sent troops to this area and they are planning to seal off the area," resident Ahmed Abdirahman said by satellite phone.

"So far, there have been no clashes here, but the authorities are planning to secure the whole area," he added.

Another resident, who requested anonymity, confirmed the deployment, which followed clashes between Puntland forces and Islamists last week.