Puntland forces seize government-held camp in Somalia’s Galkayo

Armed forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state have attacked a camp held by federal government troops, in the latest flare-up between regional leaders and the Somali government.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni told a news conference on Wednesday in the regional capital Garowe that the assault was “a planned security operation” to send a “clear message to anyone working against the Puntland government”.

“The operation targeted a camp where the federal government has recently been transporting weapons, military equipment and troops in an attempt to undermine Puntland’s security and stability,” he claimed.

Deni said his administration had repeatedly raised concerns over the Somali president’s decisions, but did not elaborate.

“These actions are disrupting Somalia’s already fragile peace and, in particular, threatening the long-standing stability of Puntland, which has remained peaceful for many years,” he said.

Heavily armed Puntland forces, backed by military vehicles, launched an operation on Wednesday morning against a military camp near the airport in northern Galkayo city.

The camp was occupied by troops formerly aligned with Puntland authorities but whose commanders recently pledged allegiance to Mogadishu.

Undated footage circulating on social media appeared to show armed men purporting to be Puntland forces taking control of a military facility. It is not clear where the footage was filmed.