Somalia: Puntland accuses federal government of plot to destabilize its territory 

BOSASO, Somalia — Puntland has accused Somalia's federal government of attempting to create and support armed groups inside the Federal State as part of a broader effort to undermine its security, allegations that Mogadishu has not publicly addressed.

In a statement, Puntland said that over the past 24 months, Villa Somalia, acting on behalf of three unnamed foreign countries, had sought to organize armed groups in Puntland to advance what it described as strategic interests linked to key maritime routes.

Puntland said an initial attempt coincided with fighting in the Cal Miskaad mountains in December 2024, where regional forces battled Islamic State-linked militants, adding that the operation failed to weaken Puntland's security.

The Federal State also alleged that senior federal officials recently announced plans that threaten Puntland's existence by backing newly formed groups within the region, claiming these groups were intended to advance the federal government's interests.

Puntland further claimed that representatives of two foreign countries involved in the alleged plan had held meetings in recent weeks with various figures, including some Puntland politicians, to encourage coordinated attacks across parts of Sool, Nugaal, Mudug and Bari regions.

According to Puntland, intelligence indicates that one of the countries allegedly linked to the plan is expected to pursue its strategy more openly in the coming week. However, the regional administration said it had already taken measures to thwart the effort.

Puntland has confirmed that it seized the military vehicles and detained several of the soldiers traveling in the convoy, including one of its commanding officers. The personnel are now in the custody of the region's security authorities.

No further details have yet been released regarding the operation. The incident comes about a month after Puntland banned the movement of military vehicles and armed personnel belonging to security agencies unless they are engaged in officially authorized operations.

The vehicles belonged to the Puntland Security Force (PSF), which leaders of Somalia's Federal Government recently said had been incorporated into the newly established 17th Brigade of forces recruited in Puntland. Puntland authorities have rejected the move, describing it as unacceptable and saying they do not recognize the federal government's decision.

GAROWE ONLINE