GAROWE, Somalia — August 6, 2026— Puntland’s government has accused Somalia’s Federal Government of attempting to destabilize the region, announcing that its security forces had foiled what it described as a planned security operation and seized weapons allegedly supplied by Mogadishu to military bases in Galkayo. The allegations were made following a Cabinet meeting chaired by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, who also ordered legal action against individuals accused of threatening Puntland’s security and governance.

The accusations emerged after Puntland’s Cabinet convened on Thursday to review the region’s security situation during a meeting chaired by President Deni and attended by Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the Cabinet praised recent security operations carried out by Puntland Defense Forces across several parts of the region. Officials said the operations had disrupted what they described as a coordinated attempt by Somalia’s Federal Government to undermine Puntland’s security and constitutional order.

The statement specifically accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose mandate Puntland referred to as expired, of backing efforts aimed at destabilizing the regional administration. Puntland did not provide evidence to support the allegation, and the Federal Government of Somalia had not publicly responded at the time of publication.

The Cabinet directed all Puntland security agencies to prevent any armed personnel or military vehicles not belonging to officially recognized Puntland security institutions from operating within the region.

Authorities also instructed security forces to intensify operations against organized crime in Puntland’s territorial waters, including piracy and illegal fishing, warning that anyone violating Puntland’s maritime jurisdiction would face legal action.

The government further announced that the names of politicians, military officers and other individuals accused of involvement in activities intended to undermine Puntland’s security and governance would be referred to judicial authorities for possible prosecution.

The Cabinet also warned that legal action would be taken against social media users and owners of online platforms accused of repeatedly spreading false information or damaging Puntland’s state institutions. At the same time, officials reminded journalists and media organizations operating in Puntland to comply with regional media laws and professional ethics.

The meeting concluded with instructions for Puntland’s security forces to perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and laws protecting human rights while urging residents to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace, stability and public security.

Puntland Claims Weapons Were Seized From Federal Bases

Separately, Puntland authorities announced that security forces had taken control of weapons stockpiles recovered from military bases recently seized by Puntland forces in Galkayo.

Officials said the weapons had been transported into Puntland by Somalia’s Federal Government over recent months and were being stored at the bases before Puntland forces assumed control.

According to Puntland officials, the recovered weapons had originally been withheld from forces fighting ISIS militants in the Cal Miskaad mountains. Instead, they alleged the arms had been allocated to units being prepared for separate security operations linked to the Federal Government’s objectives inside Puntland.

Those claims have not been independently verified, and the Federal Government has not publicly commented on the allegations.

Puntland authorities said the recovered weapons are now under the control of Puntland security forces, describing the development as an unexpected setback for Villa Somalia.

Officials also compared the incident to an earlier episode in Ras Kamboni, where weapons reportedly changed hands after military positions shifted during security operations.

Relations between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government have remained tense for several years over constitutional disputes, political representation, resource management and security authority.

The latest tensions follow recent reports of increased military deployments around Galkayo and growing disagreements over the presence of federal security forces inside Puntland territory.

Puntland has repeatedly accused Mogadishu of interfering in its internal affairs, while the Federal Government has consistently maintained that it is responsible for national security across Somalia.

The latest accusations come amid continuing military operations against Al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia and against ISIS militants in Puntland’s Cal Miskaad mountain range, where Puntland security forces have been conducting months of counterterrorism operations.

It remains unclear whether Puntland’s judicial authorities will formally prosecute those named by the Cabinet or whether the Federal Government will issue an official response to the allegations.

The dispute is likely to deepen political tensions between Garowe and Mogadishu at a time when Somalia faces multiple security challenges, including ongoing counterterrorism operations and efforts to strengthen cooperation between federal and regional authorities.

Observers say the coming days could prove significant as both sides weigh their next steps amid heightened political and security tensions.

The latest announcements mark a significant escalation in the long-running dispute between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government. Public accusations that Mogadishu attempted to destabilize Puntland, combined with claims that federal weapons were seized by regional forces, raise the political stakes between the two administrations.

If the allegations remain unresolved, they could further complicate security coordination between federal and regional authorities at a time when Somalia continues military campaigns against both Al-Shabaab and ISIS. A prolonged dispute may also affect broader efforts to strengthen cooperation on national security and governance.

While Puntland has publicly presented its account of events, the Federal Government has not responded to the allegations, leaving several key claims unverified. Independent confirmation of the reported weapons seizure and the circumstances surrounding the military bases has not been available.