Friday June 19, 2026
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland said Thursday that no troops or military vehicles other than those belonging to Puntland forces will be allowed to remain in or pass through areas under its control, amid continuing tensions with Somalia’s federal government.
The decision was announced in a statement issued after a meeting of the Puntland Council of Ministers.
“The move is part of plans to strengthen security and stability in the areas it controls,” the statement said.
Puntland also reiterated that its forces are not part of the Somali National Army until an agreement is reached with the Federal Government of Somalia on outstanding disputes.
The administration said unresolved issues remain over the formation of a national army under Somalia’s federal system.
“The council has instructed all Puntland security and justice institutions not to allow vehicles and troops that are not part of Puntland government forces to be present in Puntland areas or pass through them,” the statement said.
The decision comes as political tensions between Puntland and the federal government continue over constitutional amendments, the electoral process and the structure of Somalia’s national security institutions.
In recent days, there have been reports of movements involving former Puntland forces joining the Federal Government of Somalia. Some of those forces have said they took the step because they had not received rights they claimed from Puntland.
Puntland has frequently accused the federal government of making major political and security decisions without consensus, while Mogadishu has said it remains committed to building national institutions and advancing Somalia’s transition toward direct elections.
