GAROWE, Somalia — August 14, 2026 — Puntland has stepped up efforts to bring armed units across its territory under regional command, deploying additional forces around a federal-aligned Danab camp near Garowe while transferring former PSF personnel and other troops to training and reorganization centers, according to security sources.
Puntland authorities deployed additional security forces on Friday night to the Laacdheere checkpoint near Ligle military camp, outside Garowe, amid an unresolved dispute with Danab troops linked to Somalia’s federal government, security sources said.
The Danab personnel stationed at Ligle are commanded by General Jimcaale Jaamac Takar and reportedly receive instructions from the Federal Government of Somalia. The precise number of soldiers at the camp was not immediately known.
The latest deployment followed an incident earlier on Friday in which two vehicles belonging to the Danab unit reportedly left Ligle and traveled toward Garowe. Puntland subsequently reinforced positions around the camp to monitor and restrict the movement of the unit, according to the sources.
Witnesses in Garowe also reported that General Takar had stationed armed personnel at his residence in the Puntland capital. There were no immediate reports of fighting, casualties or disruption to civilian activity.
Puntland and federal officials had not publicly commented on the troop movements by the time of publication. The reasons for the two Danab vehicles leaving the camp were also unclear.
Traditional elders from the Nugaal region are mediating between Puntland officials and representatives of the federally aligned unit. The discussions have continued without producing a publicly announced settlement.
Former PSF Personnel Transferred to Carmo
The Garowe standoff comes as Puntland moves to reorganize other armed formations operating within territory under its administration.
In Carmo, Puntland authorities have transferred former Puntland Security Force personnel to the Carmo Police Training Academy, according to sources familiar with the process.
The personnel were previously based at the PSF compound in Bosaso, which Puntland recently took over through what sources described as a peaceful handover. No clashes were reported during the transfer of control.
The regional administration plans to provide the former PSF members with new training and reorganize them under Puntland’s established security command structure, the sources said. Details about their future assignments and the number of personnel involved have not been disclosed.
Puntland is also preparing to retrain and reorganize troops formerly affiliated with Somalia’s federal government who remain in areas administered by the regional government. Some of those soldiers have already been accommodated at the Carmo academy, according to security sources.
The process appears intended to place armed personnel operating across Puntland under a more centralized regional command. Authorities have not released a formal timetable for completing the training and integration program.
Puntland Takes Control of Karkaar Unit
In a separate development, Puntland authorities said they had assumed control of troops previously loyal to federal politician Mohamud Mashruuc. The soldiers were reportedly receiving salaries from Somalia’s federal government, although federal authorities have not confirmed that claim.
The transfer was announced during a ceremony in Kur Ilaalo, in the Karkaar region. Officials did not immediately disclose the number of troops involved, the terms of the arrangement or whether the personnel would be sent to Carmo for retraining.
Puntland officials and their supporters have described the handover as part of a broader campaign to dismantle or absorb armed groups linked to the federal government. Those claims could not be independently verified, and Mogadishu has not issued a detailed response.
Relations between Puntland and Somalia’s federal government have remained strained by disagreements over constitutional changes, political authority, federalism and control of security forces.
Puntland has repeatedly objected to the organization or deployment of federal-aligned units within territory it administers without an agreement with the regional authorities. The federal government, meanwhile, retains constitutional responsibility for national security and supports units operating under federal command.
The presence of armed groups with competing command structures has raised concerns about possible confrontation, particularly around Garowe and other strategically important towns. Clan elders have often played a central role in negotiations aimed at preventing political disputes from escalating into violence.
No fighting has been reported during the latest developments in Garowe, Bosaso, Carmo or Kur Ilaalo. The absence of reported violence has allowed elders and officials to continue negotiations, but the Ligle camp dispute remains unresolved.
Puntland’s actions indicate an effort to consolidate control over security forces operating within its territory. Bringing former PSF personnel, federal-affiliated troops and locally organized units under one command could reduce competing chains of authority if the process is completed through negotiation.
The unresolved confrontation near Garowe, however, carries security risks. A prolonged military encirclement or unauthorized troop movement could trigger an armed incident close to the regional capital, potentially affecting civilians and travel along nearby roads.
The dispute also reflects the wider political breakdown between Puntland and the federal government. Without an agreed framework governing federal forces in Puntland, similar confrontations may continue and could weaken cooperation against Al-Shabaab and other security threats.
