MOGADISHU, Somalia — August 4, 2026 — Federal lawmakers representing Puntland and Jubaland in Somalia’s two houses of Parliament have condemned the reported deployment of federal troops and weapons to Gaalkacyo, accusing the government of risking armed confrontation and destabilizing the Puntland-administered section of the strategically divided city.
The lawmakers issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday under the banner of the “Independent Federal Parliament,” accusing President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre of overseeing the movement of military personnel and weapons into Gaalkacyo.
They alleged that the deployments were intended to undermine security in Puntland and create political and military pressure against the regional administration. The claims have not been independently verified, and the document did not provide evidence identifying the units, quantities of weapons or operational orders involved.
The statement followed local reports that armed residents or militia fighters intercepted and seized weapons belonging to the Federal Government in southern Gaalkacyo.
According to those reports, the weapons were being transported through the Galmudug-administered section of the city toward Puntland-controlled territory. Local sources alleged that the equipment could have been intended for use against Puntland forces.
Federal troops reportedly pursued the seized shipment and attempted to recover it, leading to an exchange of gunfire. No independently confirmed casualty figures were immediately available, and the identities of the armed local fighters remained unclear.
Neither the Federal Government nor Puntland authorities had released a detailed account of Tuesday’s reported confrontation at the time of publication.
Lawmakers Warn of Wider Conflict
The Puntland and Jubaland lawmakers said Gaalkacyo had experienced a period of improving security, peaceful coexistence and economic activity after years of tension and intermittent violence.
They warned that repeated military movements could reverse those gains and expose residents to renewed armed conflict.
The lawmakers alleged that federal troops, weapons and ammunition had been arriving regularly through the airport in southern Gaalkacyo, which is administered by Galmudug. They described the reported operation as politically motivated and called for an immediate halt to further deployments.
Separate reports in July said federal troops and military supplies had been flown from Mogadishu to Gaalkacyo amid rising tensions between the Federal Government and Puntland. Security sources quoted in those reports said the aircraft landed in the Galmudug-controlled part of the city, although Mogadishu did not publicly confirm the reported operation.
Puntland officials have also accused the Federal Government of transporting weapons into Gaalkacyo to destabilize the regional administration. Puntland’s deputy security minister said in July that the authorities had information indicating that weapons were being held on the Galmudug side of the city. The Federal Government did not publicly respond to that allegation at the time.
Calls to Prioritize Al-Shabaab Operations
The lawmakers criticized the reported deployment at a time when Somali forces and allied regional troops are facing continued attacks by al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia.
Their statement referred to recent militant activity around Teedaan and armed confrontations in Middle Shabelle, arguing that federal military resources should be directed toward fighting al-Shabaab rather than disputes involving regional administrations.
They called on the federal leadership to prevent civil conflict, avoid armed confrontations between Somali security forces and local communities and concentrate on operations against militant groups.
The statement directly urged President Hassan Sheikh and Prime Minister Hamza to exercise restraint and reconsider the reported military operation in Gaalkacyo.
Tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government have intensified in recent months over constitutional changes, political authority, security command structures and control of federal forces operating in the northeastern state.
In June, Puntland accused the Federal Government of smuggling weapons into its territory to provoke internal conflict. The regional administration announced restrictions on federal-controlled armed personnel entering Puntland without authorization and increased security measures in Gaalkacyo, Garowe and Bosaso.
The dispute escalated further in July after Puntland forces clashed near Bosaso with members of the Puntland Security Force, a unit whose command and political alignment have been contested. Puntland officials alleged that the force had received backing from Mogadishu, although that accusation was not independently confirmed.
Gaalkacyo is particularly sensitive because the city is divided administratively. Its northern section is governed by Puntland, while its southern section falls under Galmudug. The wider Mudug region contains forces aligned with different administrations, making uncoordinated troop movements a potential source of confrontation.
Attention is expected to focus on whether the Federal Government provides details about the reported weapons shipment, its destination and the command responsible for the operation.
The lawmakers have demanded an end to the alleged deployments, while Puntland is likely to maintain heightened security around entry points, airports and routes leading into its section of Gaalkacyo.
Any further movement of weapons or troops without coordination between Mogadishu, Galmudug and Puntland could increase the risk of additional clashes.
Gaalkacyo has long been one of Somalia’s most politically and militarily sensitive cities. Its divided administration means that deployments made on one side can quickly be interpreted as a threat by forces on the other, particularly during periods of heightened federal-state tension.
