Puntland detains nearly 130 federal troops in Galkayo town

Galkayo (HOL) — Puntland security forces have detained nearly 130 soldiers and officers belonging to Somalia’s federal government forces in Galkayo town, military officials said Monday.

Speaking to local media, officials said the troops were intercepted in two military convoys after crossing from Galmudug into the northern part of Galkayo, which is administered by Puntland.

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

Officials said the reason the troops entered northern Galkayo had not been officially clarified, though security sources indicated the two vehicles may have strayed from their intended route.

“The troops aboard the two vehicles totaled 130, comprising both soldiers and officers,” a Puntland military official said.

The two vehicles and the troops are currently in the custody of Puntland security forces in Mudug region, according to officials.

The incident comes amid a political dispute between Puntland and Somalia’s federal government, with the movement and deployment of military forces among the sensitive issues between the two sides.

The federal government has not yet commented on the incident, and there has been no independent confirmation of the circumstances surrounding the troops’ detention.