Garowe (WDN) – Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has sharply accused Somalia’s Federal Government of fueling instability in Puntland, following Wednesday’s armed clashes in Galkayo between Puntland security forces and the Puntland Security Forces (PSF), a militia aligned with the Federal Government.

Speaking shortly after the fighting, Deni placed direct responsibility for the violence on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reiterating earlier accusations that the Federal Government had transported weapons into the Mudug region in an effort to ignite conflict between Puntland and neighboring Galmudug.

The Puntland leader warned that his administration would not tolerate the existence of armed forces operating within Puntland while taking orders from authorities outside the state. “Puntland will never accept forces that are commanded from elsewhere,” Deni declared, emphasizing that such formations would be confronted and dismantled.

Referring to Puntland’s military operation against the PSF base in Galkayo earlier in the day, Deni described the offensive as a clear warning to any group seeking to operate against Puntland’s authority or security. “The operation carried out this morning is a message to anyone acting against Puntland,” he said, signaling that his administration is prepared to take decisive action against armed groups it considers a threat to the state’s stability.

Deni’s remarks are likely to further heighten tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government at a time when relations between Garowe and Mogadishu remain deeply strained. Puntland has repeatedly accused the Federal Government of attempting to establish parallel security structures inside the state, while Mogadishu has maintained that it has the constitutional authority to organize and support national security forces across Somalia.

The latest exchange underscores the widening political and security rift between the two sides, raising fresh concerns that competing chains of command could further destabilize an already fragile security environment. With both sides standing firm, analysts warn that continued confrontation risks diverting attention and resources away from the broader fight against Al-Shabaab and other militant threats.

WardheerNews