Puntland police have warned residents of the Mudug region against joining forces recruited by Somalia’s Federal Government, accusing Mogadishu of undermining regional security and fueling divisions within local communities.

Mudug Regional Police Commander Col. Mahmoud Muse Bile (Farda-fuul) issued the warning while addressing security personnel preparing to deploy across the region.

He urged individuals who had enlisted with the Federal Government to return and support Puntland instead.

Addressing those recruited by Mogadishu, the commander said they should stand with their own communities and contribute to Puntland’s security rather than becoming involved in what he described as efforts that could deepen political and social divisions.

Col. Farda-fuul also accused the Federal Government of recruiting irregular armed groups whose backgrounds, he claimed, had not been properly vetted.

He alleged that some of those recruited were individuals facing criminal accusations, warning that such actions could threaten Puntland’s stability.

The warning comes amid escalating tensions between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government over recruitment efforts in the Mudug region.

Puntland authorities have repeatedly opposed what they describe as unilateral federal military recruitment inside the regional state, arguing that such moves undermine the federal system and risk worsening political and security tensions.