Friday June 19, 2026
Garowe (AX) — Puntland State moved on Thursday to tighten its grip on security in areas under its control, saying that only Puntland State troops and military vehicles will be permitted to remain in or move through its territory as tensions with Somalia’s federal government continue to simmer.
The directive came in a statement released after a session of the Puntland State Council of Ministers.
The council said security and justice institutions had been instructed to take legal action against anyone who violates the order.
“The move is part of plans to strengthen security and stability in the areas it controls,” the statement said.
Puntland State also restated its position that its forces are not part of the Somali National Army until it reaches an agreement with the Federal Government of Somalia on the outstanding disputes between them.
The administration said key issues remain unresolved, including the creation of a national army under Somalia’s federal system.
“The council has instructed all Puntland State security and justice institutions not to allow vehicles and troops that are not part of Puntland State government forces to be present in Puntland State areas or pass through them,” the statement said.
The order lands against a backdrop of rising political friction between Puntland State and the federal government, with disputes centered on constitutional amendments, the electoral process and the organization of Somalia’s national security institutions.
In recent days, reports have surfaced of former Puntland State forces moving to join the Federal Government of Somalia. Some of those fighters have said they made the switch because they had not received what they described as their rights from Puntland State.
Puntland State has often accused the federal government of taking major political and security decisions without consensus, while Mogadishu says it remains focused on building national institutions and pushing Somalia’s transition toward direct elections.
