The latest developments followed the movement of forces that had previously been stationed in Carmo district, Bari region, toward Karkaar on Friday.

Local sources said nearly 20 military vehicles arrived in the Raka-Raaxo area, reportedly in pursuit of forces affiliated with the Federal Government that had previously been stationed in Kur-ilaalo, an area under Xumbays district.

The movement of armed units has heightened fears that the standoff could develop into an armed confrontation if the two sides come into direct contact.

The situation has been further complicated by statements reportedly made by the forces that arrived in Carmo.

The troops are said to have rejected Puntland’s authority and declared that they take their orders directly from the Federal Government in Mogadishu.

Puntland could view such a declaration as a direct challenge to its administrative and security authority over territory under its control.

The Federal Government, however, could regard the forces as part of Somalia’s national military structure, highlighting a broader dispute between Mogadishu and Puntland over who has the authority to recruit, deploy, command and administer federal forces operating inside Puntland-controlled areas.

The latest tensions in Karkaar come amid already strained political and security relations between Puntland and the Federal Government.

Disagreements over constitutional reforms, federal authority, security arrangements and the status of forces operating in Puntland have increasingly spilled into the military sphere.

Puntland has previously taken action against forces and military units that declared allegiance to Mogadishu, raising concerns that competing chains of command could lead to further confrontations.

The developments also follow recent tensions elsewhere in Puntland, where forces affiliated with the Federal Government have been involved in disputes with Puntland authorities.

The situation has raised broader concerns that military units operating under competing commands could become flashpoints in the ongoing political dispute between the two administrations.

If forces from the two sides move closer to one another, the current standoff could quickly escalate into armed clashes, potentially affecting civilians across Karkaar and surrounding areas.

Fighting could disrupt roads, commercial activity and essential services, while forcing residents to leave their homes if the security situation deteriorates.

The immediate priority is therefore to prevent the military buildup from turning into an armed confrontation.

Local authorities and community leaders could play an important role in separating the forces, discouraging inflammatory rhetoric and opening channels for urgent dialogue before the situation worsens.

Traditional elders, Puntland authorities, the Federal Government and community leaders all have a role to play in containing the dispute.

Without a political or security arrangement addressing the competing claims over military authority, however, the Karkaar standoff could become another flashpoint in the wider dispute between Puntland and Mogadishu.

The post Military Tensions Rise in Puntland’s Karkaar Region appeared first on Kaab TV.

Civil society representatives specifically highlighted the DP World project at Bosaso Port, widely regarded as one of the largest and most strategic infrastructure investments implemented in Puntland.

Dr. Abdifatah Guutaale, a Puntland intellectual who recently returned from the diaspora, described the UAE’s role as filling “a vacuum left by the Federal Government of Somalia.”

UAE-backed projects have led to major modernization of Bosaso Port—the economic lifeline of Puntland—significantly increasing trade capacity and creating hundreds of direct and indirect jobs. Many of these employment opportunities have benefited Puntland’s youth.

“The UAE filled a role abandoned by the Federal Government, which failed to support the Puntland administration, despite Puntland being a member state of the federal system,” Dr. Abdifatah told Kaab TV.

Civil society groups said the investment has substantially strengthened Puntland’s economy, particularly in trade, imports, and exports, helping to reduce unemployment and increase domestic revenue.

On the security front, they noted that the UAE provided critical support to Puntland security forces at a time when the regional administration was engaged in intense fighting against ISIS, particularly in the Calmiskaad mountain range. According to civil society actors, this assistance helped enhance the operational capacity of Puntland forces and sustain counterterrorism operations.

Residents of Puntland responded

Earlier this month, when the Federal Government in Mogadishu announced that it was abandoning all contracts with the United Arab Emirates, residents of Puntland responded with public demonstrations of support for continued UAE–Puntland cooperation.

In Garowe, hundreds of Puntlanders gathered to denounce the decision, describing it as harmful to Puntland’s security and development. Participants welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the UAE and Puntland, arguing that it has delivered tangible support during the most critical moments.

“The UAE came when we needed them most—when our soldiers were bleeding and urgently needed medical assistance,” said Asha Jama, one of the participants at the Garowe gathering last week.

Since the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia, Puntland has played a significant role in providing financial and political support for the reconstruction of the Somali state.

However, according to Mohamed Geelle, a young Puntland intellectual, the Puntland administration has increasingly become a victim of political marginalization.

“People in Puntland have long complained of injustices imposed by the Somali state. Today, the largest investor in Puntland is the UAE—whether in economic support, security, or development projects,” Geelle told Kaab TV.

Geelle noted that the UAE previously provided Somalia with financial assistance ranging from approximately $5 million to $43.5 million to support Somali security forces. However, after relations between the Mogadishu-based government and the UAE deteriorated, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s administration sought alternative backing from Qatar, while no solution was pursued for Puntland forces that remain heavily dependent on UAE support.

According to Geelle, this indicates that the Mogadishu government “has little interest in Puntland’s security and development,” at a time when Puntland is engaged in active combat against terrorist groups.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Somalia has also been accused of imposing a blockade on Puntland during the conflict, resulting in Puntland forces on the front lines facing shortages of supplies, military equipment, and emergency medical services—particularly for wounded soldiers.

Civil society representatives said this situation directly undermined counterterrorism efforts and further worsened the humanitarian conditions faced by Puntland soldiers and their families.

The post UAE’s Role in Puntland’s Security and Development Widely Praised appeared first on Kaab TV.

This operation is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt the activities of the terrorist organization in the region.

The airstrike occurred approximately 70 kilometers southeast of Bosaso, the capital of the Bari region in the Puntland State of Somalia.

The operation is ongoing, and assessments are being conducted to determine the extent of the impact, including casualties among government-aligned forces and the achievement of operational objectives.

The primary goal of the strike is to support Puntland security forces in their campaign to eliminate Daesh fighters from areas under their jurisdiction.

The Federal Government of Somalia has reaffirmed its strong collaboration with international partners—particularly the United States—in combating terrorism and working toward lasting peace and stability in Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa.

The post U.S Airstrike Targets Daesh in Puntland Airstrike appeared first on Kaab TV.