Puntland, one of the states of Somalia, has accused the federal government of supporting armed groups to destabilise the state, an allegation that Mogadishu has not publicly addressed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Puntland said the federal government is aiding and abetting armed groups to advance on key maritime routes.
Relations with Mogadishu are at an all-time low following the state’s decision to withdraw its recognition of federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration.
Puntland argues that Mohamud’s federal mandate to be president had expired and unilateral constitutional amendments made to keep him in power were unlawful.
The state had declared it was governing itself autonomously until the constitutional crisis is resolved.
Officials in the state said an initial attempt coincided with fighting in the Cal Miskaad Mountains in December 2024, where regional forces battled Islamic State-linked militants, adding that the operation failed to weaken Puntland’s security.
The state also alleged that senior federal officials have recently formed new armed groups within the region aiming to advance the federal government’s unilateral agenda.
Forces loyal to Puntland leader Said Abdullahi Deni have clashed with the Puntland Security Force (PSF) which is under the command of the federal government of Somalia. State authorities in Puntland say the PSF’ role as federal operatives is without a mandate.
Puntland claimed that representatives of two foreign countries were involved in the alleged plan to conduct coordinated attacks across parts of Sool, Nugaal, Mudug and Bari areas of the state.
According to Puntland, intelligence indicates that one of the countries allegedly linked to the plan is expected to pursue its strategy more openly in the coming week. However, the regional administration said it had already taken measures to thwart the effort.
Puntland has confirmed that it seized military vehicles and detained several soldiers traveling in the convoy, including one of its commanding officers. The soldiers are now in the custody of the region’s security authorities, the statement said.
No further details have yet been released regarding the operation.
The incident comes about a month after Puntland banned the movement of military vehicles and armed personnel belonging to security agencies unless they are engaged in officially authorised operations.
MG/as/APA