The announcement marks another significant development in the growing security and political dispute between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government, particularly over the control and command of security forces operating in areas claimed by both sides.

In a statement, the Puntland Police said the first phase of the operation had been carried out with the stated objectives of strengthening security, restoring order and bringing armed forces under a unified command structure controlled by Puntland authorities.

“The Puntland Defense Forces have officially concluded the first phase of the security operation in Mudug, which focused on strengthening security, restoring law and order, and unifying the security authority under government institutions,” the Puntland Police said.

The authorities said the armed personnel who had been stationed in Gaalkayo agreed to join the Puntland Defense Forces rather than remain under a separate command structure.

“The armed militias stationed in Gaalkayo have agreed to become part of the Puntland Defense Forces.

They are now being integrated into the official structure of the forces and will undergo military training and restructuring to bring them into line with the established system, discipline, procedures and chain of command,” the statement added.

Forces in Gaalkayo agree to join Puntland

The reported integration of the forces based at the Istanbul camp is particularly significant because Gaalkayo has historically been divided between Puntland and Galmudug, making the city one of the most politically and militarily sensitive areas in central Somalia.

Puntland’s announcement suggests that the administration in Garowe is seeking to bring armed groups and local forces operating in its areas under a single command rather than allowing separate military formations to operate independently.

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni also met with Leelkase traditional leader Ugas Abdirahman Ugas Mohamed as part of his engagements in Mudug.

The development came after some commanders and representatives of forces associated with the Leelkase clan held a press conference in Gaalkayo and announced that they had joined Puntland.

The move could therefore have both a military and political dimension. While Puntland describes the process as the strengthening and consolidation of its security institutions, the integration of locally based forces could also increase Garowe’s influence over security arrangements in Mudug.

What does Puntland mean by “first phase”?

One of the most important questions surrounding the announcement is what Puntland intends by describing the operation as the “first phase.”

The Puntland Police statement does not provide extensive details about the military objectives or whether a second phase has already been formally planned.

If the first phase was primarily intended to bring forces previously operating outside Puntland’s command structure under its authority, its completion could represent the beginning of a broader effort to consolidate control over military positions and security institutions in Mudug.

However, if the operation was also aimed at confronting or pushing back forces considered loyal to the Federal Government, the conclusion of the first phase could potentially be followed by additional military or political measures.

For now, there is no clear public indication that Puntland has announced the details of a second phase, making it difficult to determine whether the next stage will involve further military deployments, negotiations with federal-aligned forces or continued efforts to integrate local armed groups.

Growing dispute over military authority

The development comes amid increasingly tense relations between Puntland and the Federal Government of Somalia.

At the heart of the dispute is the question of who has authority over security forces operating in Puntland and other contested areas.

Puntland has repeatedly emphasized its own constitutional and administrative authority over forces operating within its territory, while the Federal Government considers federal security personnel to be part of Somalia’s national security institutions.

This disagreement has become particularly sensitive when federal forces are stationed or deployed in areas that Puntland considers to fall under its jurisdiction.

The latest developments in Mudug therefore go beyond the integration of a single group of soldiers. They reflect a broader dispute over the structure of Somalia’s security system and the division of authority between the Federal Government and federal member states.

Federal response could shape what happens next

The Federal Government is likely to view the developments through a different political and security lens.

From Mogadishu’s perspective, forces that formally belong to Somalia’s national security institutions cannot simply be absorbed into a regional administration without federal authorization.

Puntland, on the other hand, has increasingly sought to assert control over security forces operating within areas under its administration.

If both sides continue deploying forces or attempting to consolidate military positions, the risk is that a political disagreement could develop into an armed confrontation.

That possibility is particularly concerning in Mudug, where clan dynamics, territorial disputes and competing political interests have historically made security arrangements complicated.

A military confrontation would also have consequences beyond the forces directly involved. Gaalkayo and surrounding communities depend heavily on the movement of people and goods between Puntland and Galmudug.

Any escalation could disrupt transportation, trade and access to essential services while increasing displacement and insecurity among civilians.

Deni seeks to consolidate Puntland’s security structure

President Deni’s meetings with traditional leaders and local military representatives indicate that Puntland is pursuing both political and security engagement alongside the military developments.

The reported decision by Leelkase-linked commanders to join Puntland could provide the administration with additional personnel and strengthen its position in Mudug.

At the same time, integrating these forces into a formal military structure would require training, discipline and a clear chain of command, as Puntland itself acknowledged.

The emphasis on restructuring and training is significant because absorbing locally organized armed forces into a formal security institution can be difficult if the new personnel retain separate loyalties or command arrangements.

Puntland’s statement that the forces will be brought under an established chain of command suggests that Garowe wants to portray the process not simply as a military alliance but as part of a broader institutionalization of regional security forces.

A politically sensitive moment

The announcement also comes at a time when Somalia’s broader political environment remains tense, with disagreements between the Federal Government and several federal member states over political authority, constitutional arrangements and security responsibilities.

For Puntland, the completion of the first phase provides an opportunity to demonstrate that its administration retains significant influence over security developments in Mudug.

For the Federal Government, however, the expansion or consolidation of regional military authority could raise concerns about the fragmentation of Somalia’s national security architecture.

The coming days will therefore be important in determining whether the latest development remains limited to the integration of forces in Gaalkayo or becomes part of a wider confrontation between Puntland and federal-aligned forces.

For now, Puntland’s declaration appears to carry both a military and political message: that Garowe intends to consolidate its authority over security forces in Mudug and bring locally based armed personnel under a formal Puntland command structure.

Whether that process leads to greater stability or further confrontation will largely depend on how Puntland, the Federal Government, local commanders and traditional leaders manage the next stage of the dispute.

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