GALKACYO, Somalia — September 21, 2026 — Puntland police have detained two vehicles carrying young men in North Galkayo who reportedly said they were being recruited to join Somalia’s Federal Government forces, regional security officials in Mudug said, prompting an investigation into their planned movement toward a training site in southern Mudug.
Security officials said the vehicles were intercepted after travelling from southern Galkayo into the Puntland-administered northern part of the divided city. The men on board were reportedly bound for Xananbuure, an area in southern Mudug where they were expected to receive military training.
According to Mudug regional security sources, the two vehicles displayed Somalia National Army, or SNA, registration markings. The sources said those detained told investigators that they intended to join Federal Government forces.
Puntland police have taken the vehicles and their occupants into custody while inquiries continue, officials said. Authorities have not publicly released the number of people detained, their identities, or details about who organised the reported recruitment exercise.
The officials said preliminary information indicated that many of those detained appeared to be young and may not have reached the legal age for military recruitment. That assessment has not been independently verified, and Puntland authorities did not provide ages or documents to support the claim.
No injuries or violence were reported in connection with the interception.
Investigation Underway
Puntland security authorities said the investigation is focused on how the vehicles moved through central Galkayo before being stopped in the northern part of the city, as well as the alleged destination and status of the young men on board.
Officials said the recruits’ accounts suggested that they had become disoriented after leaving southern Galkayo, leading the vehicles to cross into an area under Puntland administration. Authorities are also examining the SNA markings seen on the vehicles, according to the security sources.
It was not immediately clear whether the vehicles belonged to a Federal Government security institution, a private transport operator, or another organisation. There was also no immediate confirmation of whether the individuals had been formally enlisted, were undergoing preliminary recruitment, or were travelling independently to seek enlistment.
The Federal Government of Somalia had not issued a public response by the time of publication. Its position on the detentions, the reported Xananbuure training plans and Puntland’s allegations could not immediately be established.
Puntland Raises Security Concerns
Puntland officials alleged that Somalia’s Federal Government has continued recruiting militia members for training in Xananbuure. They further claimed that the recruits could later be deployed in ways that would undermine security in Puntland.
Those allegations have not been independently verified, and the Federal Government has not publicly responded to them.
The officials did not provide evidence that the young men detained were being recruited for operations against Puntland. Nor did they identify any commanding officers or recruitment officials allegedly connected to the vehicles.
The case is nonetheless likely to add to longstanding tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government over security arrangements, administration and political authority in parts of central and northern Somalia.
Galkayo, the main city in Mudug, is divided between Puntland in the north and Galmudug in the south. The city’s split administration makes the movement of security personnel, armed groups and military vehicles particularly sensitive, especially during periods of political disagreement between regional and federal authorities.
Concerns Over Recruitment Age
The report that some detainees appeared to be under the legal recruitment age could raise further concerns if confirmed.
Somalia has committed to preventing the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups. National authorities, regional administrations and international partners have repeatedly faced pressure to ensure that military recruitment procedures include age verification and other safeguards.
In this case, however, no independent assessment has established the ages of the individuals detained. Puntland authorities said the matter remains under investigation.
Rights groups and child-protection organisations have previously warned that poverty, unemployment, displacement and limited access to education can leave young people vulnerable to recruitment by armed actors in Somalia. Verification procedures are particularly important in areas affected by conflict and weak civil-registration systems.
Any confirmed case involving underage recruitment would require a formal response from the responsible authorities and appropriate child-protection measures, according to international standards. For now, the available information remains limited to claims made by Puntland security officials.
Background to Federal-Puntland Tensions
Relations between Puntland and Mogadishu have periodically been strained by disputes over constitutional reform, electoral processes, security command structures and the distribution of authority between the Federal Government and Somalia’s federal member states.
Puntland is one of Somalia’s most established regional administrations and maintains its own security institutions, including police and regional forces. While it has cooperated with federal authorities on security matters at different times, disagreements over command and political representation have often complicated coordination.
Mudug has been particularly sensitive because it sits between Puntland and Galmudug and includes communities with close economic and family links across regional boundaries. Galkayo has experienced periods of conflict and tension in the past, although local authorities and community leaders have also pursued agreements aimed at reducing violence and facilitating civilian movement.
The presence of different security forces and administrations in and around the city means incidents involving armed personnel or military-linked vehicles can quickly become politically charged.
The Federal Government has sought to build nationally coordinated security forces as part of broader efforts to strengthen state institutions and counter the insurgency by al-Shabaab. Regional administrations, meanwhile, have frequently stressed the importance of consultation and clear arrangements over deployments in their territories.
For residents of Galkayo, the immediate concern is whether the episode can be resolved through communication between the relevant authorities. There were no reports of clashes after the vehicles were detained, but the incident underscores how quickly security movements in Mudug can fuel political friction.
The detentions bring renewed attention to the sensitive security balance in Mudug, where Galkayo’s division between Puntland and Galmudug requires coordination to prevent misunderstandings and confrontation.
