The Puntland administration has handed over to the Galmudug administration the troops and military-type vehicles seized this morning in Galkayo city, following talks between officials from both administrations.
Both sides discussed the security situation in Mudug region and the reason these forces crossed into the northern side of Galkayo city, and ultimately reached an understanding to resolve the matter.
Galmudug said the detained forces were mostly young men enlisted to join the Somali National Army, recruited from areas belonging to Galmudug.
These young recruits, it was said, were prepared inside Galmudug and were being taken to a military base located in Galgaduud region, specifically the Xananbuure area, where they were being prepared for military training.
The Deputy Minister of Justice for Galmudug, Mahmoud Guure Guuleed, said these forces were enlisted young men, and that they were not carrying out any military operation against Puntland.
According to him, the forces crossed into the northern side of Galkayo without any provocation, where Puntland’s forces took them into custody.
Puntland had initially taken custody of the forces and the vehicles they were traveling in, and the incident raised concern that it could affect the security relationship between the two sides.
Following talks between officials from Puntland and Galmudug, it was agreed that the forces and vehicles would be handed over to the Galmudug administration.
Puntland’s Presidency was reported to have ordered the security branches of Mudug region to hand the forces and their equipment over to Galmudug, after the talks between the two sides concluded.
This incident occurred in the city of Galkayo, a town divided into northern and southern sections administered by Puntland and Galmudug, respectively.
Matters relating to troop movements in the city are sometimes sensitive, given that both administrations maintain separate security forces and agencies.
The handover of the troops indicates that both sides wish to resolve the incident through dialogue, avoiding any escalation into a security or political crisis.
Although Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia have political differences over several issues, Puntland and Galmudug maintain security cooperation, particularly regarding the stability of the Mudug region and preventing insecurity.
The troop situation was resolved after Puntland handed over the detained youth and vehicles to Galmudug, with both sides agreeing to settle the matter through dialogue and mutual understanding.