Former Puntland Security Force but later affiliated with the Somali Federal Government forces last night abandoned its military headquarters that lies north of Galkayo, according to reliable sources. Reports further indicate that these forces left for Galguduud province after they received information indicating that Puntland could take a military action if they did not leave the facility within a short period of time. Traditional elders met with the Commanders of these forces, urging them to return to the territories which are under the control of Puntland or immediately abandon areas under Puntland administration and go to areas under the control of the Somali Federal Government. Reliable sources say that these forces will go and join Danab troops of the Somali National Army while it remains unknown whether they will return to the city of Galkayo.
The move comes after Puntland troops successfully took over the headquarters that PSF were based in Galkayo, where weapons and combat vehicles abandoned by PSF at the base were looted. Puntland’s regional President, Said Abdillahi Deni, welcomed the operation and sent a stern warning to the forces loyal to the Somali Federal Government that are operational in areas under the control of Puntland, calling on them to immediately hand over their weapons and troops. Following the statement by the President of Puntland, a sense of heightened alertness is evident at the bases of forces affiliated with the Federal Government stationed within Puntland. Puntland troops have successfully taken over Puntland Security Force (PSF) military base in the port city of Bosaso, a day after it also seized the PSF headquarters in the city of Galkayo. In a statement released by Puntland Defense Forces, it confirmed that PSF base in Bosaso is now fully under the control of Puntland troops, further adding that the security has been ensured.
Puntland accused the group that was based in the area as militiamen who illegally disguised themselves as security forces-which were formerly known as the PSF. The Puntland administration said that the takeover of PSF headquarters in Bosaso follows a military operation conducted Wednesday that took place in Galkayo, which targeted armed groups that posed a serious threat to the security, stability and law and order in Puntland. The takeover of the PSF facilities marks the end of the force’s presence within Puntland, following repeated clashes between troops and forces loyal to President Deni’s administration since 2021. Previous attempts in disbanding these troops or integrating them into Puntland’s Defense Forces did not yield results. However, the latest operations led to Puntland taking control of the bases where they had been stationed.
Jubaland administration has condemned with the strongest possible terms in what it described the military movements and arms buildup that the Federal Government of Somalia is carrying out in Puntland area, specifically in Galkayo, the provincial capital of Mudug region, accusing the Federal Government of jeopardizing the security and the stability in the city. In the statement issued by Jubaland’s Presidency, it stated that at a time when the government forces are engaged in war with Al-Shabab, it is regrettable that weapons and military supplies are diverted to areas where peace and coexistence prevails, instead of being used to reinforce the battlefronts. Jubaland authorities said that the move poses a serious threat to the security of the people and undermines the peace efforts that were implemented in Galkayo over the past years. Meanwhile, Jubaland commended Puntland authority and its people in Galkayo, stating that they prevented plans which were aimed at destabilizing the security in Puntland. The Somali Federal Government has not so far responded to the allegations made by Jubaland authority over the tensions in Puntland.
