Puntland hands over detained federal recruits to Galmudug state

Galkayo (HOL) — Puntland has handed over dozens of troops and vehicles it seized in Galkayo on Monday to the Galmudug administration following talks between officials from both sides.

The Puntland and Galmudug administrations discussed the security situation in Mudug region and the vehicles and personnel detained by Puntland. The talks resulted in an agreement to transfer the recruits and their equipment to Galmudug.

According to reports, the Puntland presidency ordered security agencies in Mudug region to hand over the recruits and vehicles after negotiations between the two administrations concluded.

Galmudug Deputy Minister of Justice Mohamud Guure Guuleed said the group was made up mainly of young men recruited from Galmudug areas and being transported to Xananbuure.

“There was no violation,” Guuleed said, noting that the area where the incident occurred is a route used by vehicles and forces from both sides.

He said those detained were not yet formally enlisted soldiers but young men being prepared to join government forces.

“We are brothers; we are neighbors,” Guuleed said, adding that Galmudug and Puntland are two Somali administrations with shared ties and security cooperation.

Puntland and Galmudug, however, maintain cooperation on security issues in Mudug region.

Nearly 130 recruits were reportedly intercepted in two military convoys after crossing from Galmudug into northern Galkayo.

A Puntland military official had earlier said the detained personnel were new recruits trained in Galgaduud region and travelling to the Hananbuure base, a federal government facility in Galmudug.

The incident came despite ongoing political tensions between Puntland and Somalia’s federal government.