Two mortars land near Hassan Sheikh’s residence, raising concerns about security in Dhusamareb amidst rising tensions while his travel plans reportedly include a visit to the city of Galkayo.
Two mortar rounds were reportedly fired in Dhusamareb last night, landing near the presidential compound where Hassan Sheikh is staying.
According to information from the area, one of the shells reportedly went beyond the compound, while the other landed inside or near the presidential complex.
There has been no official statement so far identifying those responsible for the attack or confirming whether it caused casualties or property damage.
The incident comes as Hassan Sheikh is in Galmudug for activities related to security, military training and government projects. Reports indicate that the president is also planning to travel onward to Galkayo.
Hassan Sheikh’s reported plans to visit Galkayo have heightened concerns in Puntland.
Puntland says it is closely monitoring the president’s planned visit to southern Galkayo and has accused the Federal Government of potentially using the trip for political purposes, warning that it could trigger renewed tensions.
The administration has also reportedly placed its forces on heightened alert.
Galmudug, however, has rejected Puntland’s concerns, saying Hassan Sheikh’s visit is not intended to provoke conflict or create instability.
If Hassan Sheikh formally travels to southern Galkayo, the visit could carry significant political and security implications because the city is divided between Puntland and Galmudug administrations.
The visit could lead to increased deployments by forces from both sides, tighter security at entry points and more checkpoints across the city. Such measures could raise concerns among residents and affect commercial activity and transportation.
There is also a risk that a minor misunderstanding between armed forces could escalate into a confrontation, particularly given the already strained relationship between Puntland and the Federal Government.
Recent reports suggest that tensions in Galkayo are not limited to political rhetoric. Earlier this month, clashes were reported between Puntland forces and troops linked to the Federal Government.
Galkayo is home to closely connected communities, making residents particularly concerned that political disputes between leaders could have consequences for their daily lives.
Puntland considers Hassan Sheikh’s planned visit highly sensitive, especially amid broader political disagreements between Garowe and Mogadishu.
The Puntland administration has warned that the visit could lead to “conflict and confrontation” in Galkayo and called on the Galmudug administration and residents of southern Galkayo to protect peace and stability.
For Galmudug and the Federal Government, however, Hassan Sheikh’s visit could be viewed as the routine movement of Somalia’s highest-ranking federal official within territory administered by Galmudug.
The greatest concern at present is that a minor security incident or military misunderstanding could trigger an unintended confrontation.
Such a development could directly affect civilians, businesses and movement across Galkayo.
Attention is therefore focused on the next steps by Hassan Sheikh, Puntland and Galmudug, with hopes that political disagreements will be addressed through dialogue rather than developing into another armed conflict.