Puntland, the federal member state of Somalia, over the weekend claimed its forces had taken control of a military base in the town of Carmo which was previously occupied by what authorities described as “armed militias”.
According to a statement issued by Puntland police, the takeover comes after “armed militias” once again carried out subversive activities that threatened security and social stability in the state.
Since early July, Puntland authorities have been accusing the federal government of carrying out security operations through armed militias without the knowledge of the state’s security institutions.
The state government said the takeover was part of efforts to strengthen security, maintain public order and reinforce the authority of government institutions across the region.
Last week, the authorities said that the federal government had been organising and supporting armed groups inside the state in a bid to weaken the region’s security and administrative authority.
The takeover follows recent clashes in the central Somali town of Galkayo between Puntland security forces and fighters linked to the former Puntland Security Force which Puntland authorities referred them to as “armed militias”
The state’s forces took control of the former PSF compound in Galkayo after a heavy fighting and later the authorities announced that they had also taken control of the former PSF headquarters in the port city of Bosaso.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni arrived in Galkayo on Saturday for meetings with community representatives, security officials, and city authorities, with security and the restoration of law and order expected to top the agenda.
MG/as/APA