The Puntland authorities say on Tuesday they have concluded a military operation in the Laag area, about 30 kilometres south of Bosaso, following clashes between Puntland’s Darawiish forces and the Puntland Security Force (PSF).
According to local sources, Puntland Darawiish troops surrounded a convoy of PSF vehicles around midnight after it left Bosaso and was heading towards Xaafuun district.
A brief exchange of fire took place along the main tarmac road linking Bosaso and Garowe.
Preliminary reports indicate that at least two people were killed and several others wounded in the fighting.
The injured were transported to Bosaso for treatment, although no independent casualty figures have yet been confirmed.
In a statement, the Puntland administration said its forces seized military vehicles, various weapons and detained several individuals during the operation.
Puntland accuses the PSF of maintaining links with Somalia’s Federal Government.
“The illegitimate administration whose mandate has expired organised these militias to undermine Puntland’s security, stability, unity, statehood and peace. Our forces captured military vehicles, different types of weapons and prisoners, while security operations are continuing to pursue those who fled. The operation will be concluded within hours,” the Puntland statement said.
The Puntland Police Command also said its forces had seized military vehicles, weapons and detained several prisoners during the operation.
“Security operations are continuing to track down those who escaped, while Puntland security forces remain engaged in ensuring security and stability,” the police said.
Puntland police later displayed vehicles and weapons they said had been captured from the PSF.
The PSF is a counterterrorism force that was previously trained by the United States, although U.S. support was later withdrawn. The force is led by General Asad Osman Abdullahi, who is from Bosaso and currently serves as Commissioner of the Somali Federal Police.
Puntland deployed a combination of its Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) and Darawiish forces during the operation.
The PMPF is a UAE-trained paramilitary force that has played a key role in Puntland’s security operations.
The Darawiish units involved were previously deployed in Puntland’s counterterrorism offensive against Islamic State militants in the Calmiskaad mountains, where they participated in operations conducted over the past two years.
The latest tensions came as another security incident was reported overnight in the districts of Xaafuun and Qardho. According to local reports, armed men opened fire at a hotel in Qardho, although further details remain unclear.
Monday’s clashes
Earlier on Monday afternoon, Puntland Darawiish forces and the PSF also exchanged fire in a separate confrontation.
Both sides reportedly sustained injuries after exchanging gunfire and mortar fire.
Traditional elders in Bari region have since launched mediation efforts aimed at easing tensions and preventing further violence between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Puntland has deployed additional forces to the area and insists it will not tolerate armed units operating outside its chain of command, accusing such forces of having links with Somalia’s Federal Government.
A PSF officer in Bosaso told reporters that PSF forces had withdrawn back to Bosaso but declined to provide further details.
General Asad Osman Abdullahi, the Commissioner of the Somali Federal Police, who is currently in Mogadishu, has not commented on Puntland’s allegations or the reported clashes.
The Somali Federal Government has not yet issued any statement regarding the incident.