Puntland says over 100 arrested in Galkacyo raid

Puntland police said more than 100 people were arrested after forces from Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland state attacked a government-aligned military camp in northern Galkacyo on Wednesday.

The camp near the city’s airport was occupied by troops formerly aligned with Puntland authorities whose commanders had recently pledged allegiance to Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni described the assault as a planned security operation and said it targeted a camp where the federal government had recently been moving weapons, military equipment and troops. He said the moves threatened Puntland’s security and stability.

Puntland police said local forces had concluded the operation and seized weapons, vehicles and military equipment, including firearms, ammunition, uniforms and other supplies.

Residents told AFP they heard several mortar rounds, some landing in residential areas, during fighting that lasted more than an hour. AFP reported casualties but said exact figures were not available.

One resident said the fighting had ended. Another resident told AFP that Puntland forces had taken control of the camp and that opposing forces aligned with the federal government had withdrawn to southern Galkacyo.

Somalia’s federal government and commanders of the rival force had not issued a response to Puntland’s claims. The clash comes amid tensions between Puntland’s leadership and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s government over efforts to centralise governance.