Somalia: President Pressuring Allies to Trigger Armed Clashes in Puntland

MOGADISHU, June 24, 2026 – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose 4-year mandate expired last May, is pressuring allied political factions from the northeastern Federal State of Puntland to instigate armed clashes in major urban centers, local media reported, citing leaked military and logistics logs.

According to documents seen by Garowe Online detailing troop registrations, official appointments, and strategic logistics, the operation is aimed at creating political misdirection. The sources say Villa Somalia—the presidential palace—intends to divert international attention from mounting domestic pressures while framing Hassan Sheikh Mohamud not as an isolated leader fighting his opposition, but as one dealing with wider regional instability.

Sources close to the presidency indicate that the administration views its primary political challenges as stretching from Jubbaland to Puntland. Following failed attempts to dismantle opposition in Jubbaland, federal focus has reportedly shifted toward destabilizing Puntland.

The leaked documents reveal that the proxy groups have been organized into four operational divisions. The most significant mobilization is reportedly concentrated around two distinct militia units stationed in Garowe and western Galkayo.

However, the strategy has triggered sharp divisions among Puntland political figures aligned with the federal government, splitting them into three distinct factions.

The first faction, comprising lawmakers facing bleak re-election prospects and former politicians, is pushing to export conflict to their home constituencies, mobilizing local loyalists to launch coordinated operations.

Conversely, the second faction, led by several high-ranking officials, has flatly refused the presidency's directives. Citing the need to preserve their long-term political futures, they argue against sustaining further damage before the 2029 electoral cycle, a resistance that has reignited lingering grievances dating back to the 2019 and 2024 Puntland elections.

Meanwhile, a third newly formed wing from the Bari region, closely linked to business interests aligned with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has expressed deep hesitation, claiming their initial mobilization efforts were compromised and abandoned without federal reinforcement.

As internal divisions deepen, the allied figures who initially agreed to execute the destabilization plan are reportedly facing immense anxiety. Local traditional elders in Puntland have already issued stern warnings to these politicians, cautioning them against implementing externally driven agendas that threaten regional stability.

GAROWE ONLINE