Puntland and Federal Forces Face Off in Karkaar as Elders Mediate to Avert Clashes

BOOSASO — A tense military standoff has developed in the Karkaar region as Puntland forces and troops aligned with the Federal Government of Somalia, who recently withdrew from the Carmo district in the Bari region, now find themselves positioned in close proximity near the settlements of Xumbays. Kuri-laalo and Rako-Raaxo, raising fears of a new confrontation.

Reports indicate that forces from both sides are stationed in adjacent locations, with traditional elders from the Kuri-Laalo, Xumbays and Rako-Raaxo areas actively engaged in mediation efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation. The dialogue efforts come as the two sides remain at an impasse, with Puntland authorities having previously accused President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of arming militias to destabilise the region. The elders are working to prevent any miscalculation that could spark a wider military confrontation.

Tensions between Puntland and the Federal Government have been escalating for months, with Puntland sending additional troops to major cities and barring federal-linked troops from moving through its territory. The current standoff in Karkaar is the latest flashpoint in this growing rift.

Puntland’s Firm Stance and Mediation Efforts

Puntland has reiterated its position that no armed forces outside its official security apparatus are permitted to operate within its borders. The administration has stated that federal-aligned troops will be subject to reorganisation and training, indicating that it does not recognise their independent status. Puntland’s Cabinet has ordered security agencies to halt the movement of armed forces and vehicles not formally part of its security structure and to refer politicians, officers, and individuals accused of undermining Puntland’s security and institutions to the judiciary.

Traditional elders from the Bari region, have appealed to the authorities to carefully consider the consequences of any further escalation. “Chasing these forces from their home areas, where the local community already has grievances and government services have not fully reached them, could create a difficult situation with negative consequences,” they said. The elders expressed hope that the government would understand the situation and withdraw the forces, avoiding any action that could lead to confrontation and heightened tensions.

The mediation efforts by elders in Xumbays and Rako-Raaxo are part of a long tradition of clan-based conflict resolution in Somalia. The involvement of traditional leaders underscores the community’s desire to prevent violence and find a peaceful solution to the standoff, as traditional elders have been trained to lead mediation processes by the United Nations to strengthen stability and cohesion.

President Deni has accused President Mohamud of breaking the country apart, while Puntland has barred federal-linked troops from moving through its territory and accused Mogadishu of seeking to use federal forces to weaken security inside the region.

Background: The Carmo Withdrawal and Galkayo Clashes

The current situation in Karkaar follows a series of recent confrontations between Puntland and the Federal Government over control of security forces and military installations. The federal-aligned forces now in Karkaar had abandoned a military base in Carmo on August 7, relocating to Xumbays within Puntland’s territory, after Puntland issued a 48-hour ultimatum for them to surrender. Puntland has since formally taken control of the vacated base.

This standoff is the latest in a series of confrontations. On August 5, Puntland forces seized a military camp in northern Galkayo, and on August 6, they took control of a former Puntland Security Force (PSF) headquarters in Bosaso. President Said Abdullahi Deni has visited Galkayo to hold meetings with the local community following the recent clashes in the city, as efforts to stabilise the security and political situation continue.

Puntland has accused the Federal Government of destabilization efforts, warning that policies backed by allies of the president threaten to fracture Somalia regionally. President Deni has also accused the federal government of attempting to dismantle the federal system.

Critical Note

The military standoff in the Karkaar region represents a dangerous escalation in the long-running political crisis between Puntland and the Federal Government. The dispute over the command and control of federal-aligned forces operating within Puntland’s territory reflects a fundamental disagreement over the distribution of military authority and the structure of Somalia’s federal system. Puntland’s forceful takeover of bases and its ultimatums to federal-aligned forces, combined with the Federal Government’s insistence on its authority to deploy national troops, have created a volatile situation that risks spiraling into wider conflict. The mediation efforts by traditional elders, while commendable, are unlikely to resolve the underlying political tensions driving the crisis. The international community, which has invested heavily in Somalia’s stabilisation, must urgently press both sides to de-escalate and return to negotiations before the crisis further fragments the country’s security institutions and leaves the population vulnerable to renewed instability.