Armed forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state have attacked a camp held by federal government troops in Galkayo, in the latest flare-up between Puntland authorities and the federal government, with Puntland forces subsequently taking control of a former Puntland Security Force (PSF) compound in Bosaso.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni told a news conference in the regional capital Garowe on Wednesday that the Galkayo assault was a “planned security operation” intended to send a “clear message to anyone working against the Puntland government.”
The August 5 operation involved heavy fighting and artillery exchanges, reportedly causing civilian displacement and casualties.
Earlier today the Puntland Defense Forces said they had formally taken control of the former PSF base in Bosaso, which had been occupied by an armed group formerly known as the PSF.
The Puntland statement said the Galkayo operation resulted in the arrest of 101 suspects and the detention of 60 wounded individuals. Security forces also seized weapons, ammunition, military vehicles and other equipment.
The seized items reportedly included police uniforms, handcuffs and police boots, as well as equipment Puntland said had been donated by the Chinese government to the Somali Police Force.
Puntland authorities have accused Somalia’s federal government of facilitating weapons shipments through neighboring Galmudug and attempting to arm forces operating outside Puntland’s control. The dispute escalated following the arrival of a contested weapons shipment in the Galmudug-controlled southern sector of Galkayo.
Deni said Puntland forces had secured the area and warned against the presence of parallel armed groups operating in Puntland.
Jubaland has voiced support for Puntland, while neighboring Galmudug authorities have urged political leaders to keep the region out of the dispute.
IDILNEWS