Puntland Accuses Federal Government of Fueling Conflict, Alleges Fresh Arms Shipments into Mudug

Garowe (WDN) – Puntland has issued a strongly worded statement accusing Somalia’s Federal Government of deliberately escalating tensions by transporting weapons and military personnel into Puntland territory, warning that such actions threaten the fragile stability of the Mudug region.

In a press release issued on 4 August 2026, the Puntland Presidency alleged that the Federal Government transported another shipment of weapons into Galkayo on Tuesday through the Galmudug-controlled side of the divided city, claiming the arms were ultimately intended for deployment inside Puntland.

According to the statement, security agencies and local residents in Galmudug intercepted the shipment before it reached its intended destination. Puntland further alleged that the interception triggered an armed confrontation that resulted in casualties, although it did not specify the number of those killed or wounded.

The Federal Government has not publicly responded to Puntland’s allegations, and the claims could not be independently verified. Puntland praised the Galmudug administration, its security forces, and local communities for what it described as preventing an attempt by the Federal Government to destabilize the Mudug region.