The clashes centered on a military base near General Abdullahi Yusuf Airport, where the federal-aligned forces had been stationed in recent weeks.
Residents reported sustained explosions and intense gunfire across several parts of the city, while plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the airport area.
Several mortar rounds were also reported to have landed near civilian neighborhoods, although there has been no official confirmation of casualties.
After hours of fighting, Puntland authorities announced that their forces had seized full control of the military base following what they described as a carefully planned military operation.
Videos circulating on social media appeared to show Puntland troops entering the compound, while military commanders declared the operation a success. Puntland officials said they had captured military vehicles, weapons, ammunition, and several prisoners during the assault.
In a statement issued by the Puntland Police Command, authorities said military operations were continuing to secure the surrounding area and pledged to confront any armed group they believe is attempting to undermine Puntland’s security or destabilize the region.
Additional security forces were reportedly deployed around Galkayo as clearing operations continued.
The confrontation followed weeks of rising tensions after Puntland reinforced its military presence in Galkayo, with some units surrounding positions held by the PSF.
The immediate trigger for the fighting was a dispute over a convoy of weapons and military equipment that Puntland alleges was transported from Mogadishu toward northern Galkayo, an area under Puntland’s administration.
Local forces opposed the movement of the weapons, leading to the outbreak of armed clashes.
In a separate statement, Puntland accused Somalia’s Federal Government of deliberately escalating tensions by deploying arms and troops into Galmudug-administered areas near Galkayo.
Puntland alleged that the federal deployment sparked the latest fighting, praised local forces in Galmudug for resisting what it described as efforts to destabilize the region, and demanded the immediate withdrawal of all federal forces from the area.
According to Puntland, the weapons and troops were intended to reinforce federal-aligned forces amid growing tensions between Puntland authorities and PSF fighters who have pledged loyalty to Mogadishu.
Federal authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations or confirmed the purpose of the reported military deployment.
The latest violence comes against the backdrop of worsening relations between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government over constitutional amendments, disputed electoral reforms, and disagreements over security arrangements.
Those political disputes have increasingly spilled over into military confrontations, particularly in the Mudug region, where Galkayo remains divided between Puntland in the north and Galmudug in the south.
The fighting also reflects the continuing divisions within the Puntland Security Force (PSF), an elite counterterrorism unit originally established with international support to combat militant groups in northeastern Somalia.
While much of the force remains loyal to Puntland authorities, factions have aligned themselves with the Federal Government, resulting in repeated confrontations in Bosaso, Bari Region, and now Galkayo.
The renewed clashes have raised concerns that years of reconciliation efforts between Puntland and Galmudug could be undermined. Galkayo, once a frequent flashpoint for inter-administration conflict, had experienced a significant improvement in security following peace agreements and joint confidence-building measures.
Security analysts warn that unless urgent political dialogue takes place between Mogadishu, Garowe, and Galmudug, the confrontation risks escalating into a wider regional conflict with serious humanitarian and security consequences.
At the time of publication, Somalia’s Federal Government had not issued an official statement responding to Puntland’s claims or confirming reports that the military base near General Abdullahi Yusuf Airport had fallen under Puntland’s control.
