At least seven people were injured in clashes that broke out at around 4:00 p.m. local time in southern Galkayo after armed clan militias from the Galmudug side of the city confronted security forces described as Galmudug police escorting a convoy carrying weapons and ammunition.

According to local sources, the fighting began after Sa’ad clan militias of the Habar Gidir intercepted two vehicles transporting the military supplies under police escort.

The shipment, which reportedly included various types of ammunition and military uniforms, had been unloaded at Galmudug’s airport in southern Galkayo.

Abdirahman Abdishakur, a member of Somalia’s expired-term federal parliament and one of the country’s leading opposition figures, blamed the crisis on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose constitutional mandate has expired.

“Hassan Sheikh, whose constitutional term has expired, has plunged Galmudug into two dangerous crises: a fraudulent election that has deepened political division and instability, and escalating tensions that risk igniting conflict between Galmudug and Puntland,” Abdishakur said.

He warned that the violence in Galkayo could undermine years of peacebuilding efforts.

“The fighting that erupted today in South Galkayo is a stark warning of the consequences of this dangerous course. It threatens to unravel years of hard-won peace, reconciliation, and coexistence between the brotherly communities of Galkayo,” he posted on X.

According to reports, the military shipment originated in Mogadishu and was allegedly being transported toward northern Galkayo, which is administered by Puntland.

The area has recently witnessed heightened tensions between Puntland security forces and fighters loyal to Asad Diyaano, commonly known as the Puntland Security Force (PSF), who have previously claimed to receive support from the Federal Government.

Abdishakur, who hails from Galmudug, urged traditional elders, religious leaders, youth, women and the wider Galkayo community not to be drawn into violence or political division.

“Peace, coexistence, and the protection of innocent lives must take precedence over political disputes.,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Puntland Government condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s transfer of weapons and troops into Puntland territory.

In a statement issued by the Puntland Presidency, authorities praised forces on the Galmudug side for intercepting the shipment, which Puntland alleged was destined for areas under its administration.

Puntland also called on its residents to remain vigilant against what it described as efforts by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to fuel conflict in Galmudug.

Update: The Galmudug side presented this vehicle which they said was carrying weapons airlifted from Mogadishu into Galkayo south on Tuesday.

At least two people were injured after brief gunfight between Galmudug Darwish officers and police officers guarding the weapons and… https://t.co/94JkKRg9uA pic.twitter.com/eD3XM9857j

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) August 4, 2026

The post Abdirahman Abdishakur Warns Galkayo Clashes Could Lead Somalia Down a Dangerous Path appeared first on Kaab TV.

The fighting erupted after armed militia from the Sacad sub-clan of the Habar Gidir intercepted two trucks carrying weapons and military equipment that were being escorted by Galmudug police.

The shipment, which included ammunition of various calibres and military uniforms, had been unloaded at the Galmudug-controlled airport in southern Galkayo.

Local journalist Abdulkadir Mohamed, speaking to Kaab TV from Galkayo, said the militias seized the weapons and transported them to the outskirts of the city.

Galmudug security forces later launched an operation to recover the shipment, triggering an armed confrontation.

“The fighting broke out at around 4:00 p.m., and at least seven people from both sides were reportedly wounded,” Abdulkadir said.

Ilyas Hassan Mohamed, widely known as “Cagaweyne,” the commander of the South Galkayo Police Station, said his forces were still pursuing the militia members who seized the weapons.

Sources said the military consignment originated in Mogadishu and was reportedly destined for northern Galkayo, which is controlled by Puntland. The area has recently witnessed heightened tensions between Puntland security forces and fighters loyal to the Puntland Security Force (PSF) faction led by Gen. Asad Diyaano, who has previously claimed to receive support from the Federal Government.

Two weeks ago, Puntland forces and the PSF clashed in Bosaso, where Puntland forces defeated fighters loyal to Gen. Asad Diyaano, who serves as the Commander of the Somali Federal Police Force.

Puntland Condemns Federal Government

The Puntland administration condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s transfer of weapons and personnel into Puntland territory.

In a statement issued by the Puntland Presidency, the administration praised forces on the Galmudug side for intercepting the arms shipment, which Puntland alleged was being transported into Puntland-controlled areas.

Puntland also urged its residents to remain vigilant against what it described as efforts by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to fuel conflict in Galmudug.

The seizure of the weapons came shortly after traditional elders from the Sacad and Majeerteen/Omar Mohamud clans in Galkayo held meetings aimed at preserving peace in the divided city, which has experienced growing security tensions in recent weeks, raising fears among residents of renewed violence.

Update: The Galmudug side presented this vehicle which they said was carrying weapons airlifted from Mogadishu into Galkayo south on Tuesday.

At least two people were injured after brief gunfight between Galmudug Darwish officers and police officers guarding the weapons and… https://t.co/94JkKRg9uA pic.twitter.com/eD3XM9857j

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) August 4, 2026

The post Seven Injured in Galkayo Clash Over Intercepted FGS Arms Shipment appeared first on Kaab TV.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Puntland Presidency said it is “closely monitoring all military activities” allegedly aimed at destabilizing the semi-autonomous state.

The government reiterated that there is no Puntland Security Force (PSF) that is legally integrated into the Puntland State Defense Forces and stated that no military force registered with the Federal Government is authorized to operate within Puntland’s territory.

Puntland also appealed to neighboring Galmudug State and the international community, urging them to prevent the movement of military equipment and militia forces through Galmudug-controlled airports and territory if they are intended for operations against Puntland.

The statement emphasized the long-standing relationship between Puntland and Galmudug, citing a history of “good neighborliness, security cooperation, and peaceful coexistence.”

Finally, the Puntland government called on the people of Puntland to remain vigilant and defend both their territory and the state’s institutions.

The statement comes amid heightened political and security tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government, following recent clashes near Bosaso involving Puntland forces and the Puntland Security Force (PSF), as well as an increasingly deep constitutional and political dispute between Garowe and Mogadishu.

BREAKING: Puntland Accuses Somalia’s Outgoing President of Trying to Destabilize the State, Warns Galmudug Against Facilitating Military Movements

The Puntland government has accused Somalia’s outgoing President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, of attempting to incite conflict and… pic.twitter.com/VgSKVKEZQa

— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) July 25, 2026

The post Puntland Accuses FGS of Destabilizing Galkayo, Warns Galmudug Against Facilitating Military Movements appeared first on Kaab TV.