GAROWE, Somalia – Relations between Somalia’s Puntland state and the recently recognized SSC-Khatumo administration have deteriorated sharply in recent days, raising fears of open conflict between the two allied regional states.
The escalating rift comes as Somali federal forces and Puntland remain locked in a separate political and military standoff, compounding instability in the northern part of the country.
According to regional officials, troops from SSC-Khatumo seized control of the strategic border area of Shaxda, located in the Karkaar region, which lies on the frontier between Puntland and SSC territories.
Brigadier General Hussein Ali Mohamud, the commander of Puntland forces in Karkaar, accused SSC-Khatumo of provoking tensions and urged its leadership to refrain from pursuing armed confrontation.
“This is a sensitive moment. We call on SSC-Khatumo to avoid actions that could ignite a conflict with Puntland,” General Mohamud said in a statement.
The growing discord follows a move earlier this month by Somalia’s federal government to formally recognize SSC-Khatumo as a regional administration, a decision strongly opposed by Puntland, which views it as a threat to its territorial integrity and political influence.
The developments mark a sharp reversal in relations between the two regions. In 2023, Puntland provided extensive military and logistical support to SSC-Khatumo during its fierce battles against Somaliland forces, helping SSC reclaim several key areas.
Analysts warn that a direct clash between Puntland and SSC-Khatumo could destabilize the fragile balance in northern Somalia and further complicate the ongoing tensions between Puntland and the federal government.
Efforts at mediation have yet to yield results, and local elders are calling for calm as fears of renewed conflict continue to grow.
