Puntland forces seize government-held camp near Galkayo airport after clashes

Puntland forces have taken control of a military camp near the airport in northern Galkayo after intense clashes with federal-aligned troops, according to Puntland officials and residents in the area. The fighting marked a fresh escalation in tensions between Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland administration and forces aligned with the federal government. By the end of the confrontation, local accounts said the opposing troops had withdrawn from the site.

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Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni said the assault was a planned security operation and described it as a warning to those he said were working against his administration. He said the camp had recently been used to transport weapons, military equipment and troops, which he claimed was intended to undermine Puntland's security and stability. Puntland police later said the operation had been successfully concluded and that more than 100 people had been arrested.

The police statement also said Puntland forces seized weapons, vehicles and military equipment, including firearms, ammunition, police uniforms, handcuffs, police boots and other supplies. Residents in Galkayo said they heard several mortar rounds during the fighting, some of which landed in residential areas. The clashes reportedly lasted for more than an hour, and casualties were reported, although exact figures were not available.

The incident matters because Galkayo sits in a sensitive area of central Somalia where control and allegiance can shift between regional and federal authorities. Puntland has long operated as a semi-autonomous state, and disputes over security deployments and command structures have repeatedly strained relations with Mogadishu. Any armed confrontation in or near a city airport also raises concerns about civilian safety, movement of military supplies and the wider stability of the region.

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Deni said his administration had repeatedly raised concerns over decisions by the Somali president, though he did not provide details. He also said the actions were disrupting Somalia's fragile peace and threatening Puntland's long-standing stability. The camp was reportedly occupied by troops formerly aligned with Puntland authorities, but whose commanders had recently pledged allegiance to Mogadishu, adding a political dimension to the security operation.

What remains unclear is the number of casualties, the identities of those arrested and whether the federal government will respond publicly to Puntland's claims. It is also not clear how long Puntland will hold the camp or whether the confrontation will trigger further clashes in Galkayo. The situation will be watched closely for signs of escalation between regional and federal forces and for any impact on security in the surrounding area.

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