MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Puntland President Saeed Abdullahi Deni announced on Saturday that the semi-autonomous region will deploy troops to southern Somalia to support federal efforts against the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab, once it concludes current counter-ISIS operations in the Al-Miskad mountain range.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for new regional forces, Deni reaffirmed Puntland’s commitment to Somalia’s national security, asserting that the region would not remain idle as the country grapples with persistent insurgency. “Puntland is part of Somalia,” he said. “We are obliged to contribute to the defense and stabilization of the nation.”
His comments come amid mounting concerns over the Somali federal government’s inability to retain control of areas seized from Al-Shabaab during a military offensive launched in mid-2022. In recent months, the group has recaptured swathes of territory across Hiran, Middle Shabelle, and Lower Shabelle regions, including multiple key towns, as federal and allied forces struggled to consolidate gains.
Deni, however, conditioned his participation in the upcoming National Consultative Council (NCC) meeting, slated for early May, on what he described as a return to prior political agreements by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. He stated that Puntland’s two-year absence from the NCC—a forum for dialogue among Somalia’s federal and regional leaders—would only end if the federal government honors previously agreed commitments.
Tensions between Puntland and Mogadishu have escalated sharply in recent years. The regional government accuses the federal administration of violating the provisional constitution and making unilateral decisions, including controversial constitutional amendments. The dispute has led Puntland to cease recognition of President Mohamud’s authority—a rare move underscoring the depth of the political rift.
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