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Puntland authorities have reportedly stopped paying salaries and food allowances to troops stationed in the Sool and Cayn regions after those areas aligned with the newly declared Northeastern Federal Member State. The decision has deepened tensions within one of Somalia’s most politically divided regions, raising fears of further instability.
According to multiple sources, the move followed growing frustration in Garowe after several officers and soldiers in Sool and Cayn switched their loyalty to the emerging Northeastern administration. These forces are said to have refused orders from Puntland’s central command, effectively severing their ties with the regional government. The affected troops include members once loyal to former Puntland Vice President Ahmed Karaash, who has been instrumental in shaping the Northeastern administration’s formation.
Reports indicate that the unpaid soldiers recently held a meeting with Puntland Vice President Ilyas Lugatoor, who comes from the Sool region. They pleaded with him to restore their pay and food supplies, which they claim have been withheld for the past three months. Frustrated and desperate, some soldiers warned that they might take unspecified action—possibly including road blockades—if the government does not meet their demands soon.
The standoff has added to growing political and military friction in Puntland, where divisions within the security forces are becoming more visible. In a similar development, the Puntland government has also suspended salary and logistical support for a Danab special forces unit led by General Jimcaale Jama Takar. Authorities accuse the commander of maintaining close ties with Somalia’s Federal Government in Mogadishu, further fueling suspicions of divided loyalties among regional troops.
These actions reflect a broader struggle over control and allegiance in northern Somalia. The establishment of the Northeastern Federal Member State has intensified competition for influence between Puntland and emerging local administrations. What began as a political disagreement has now spilled into the security sector, threatening to weaken Puntland’s authority in key areas and destabilize the wider region.
Analysts say the crisis underscores the fragile balance of power in northern Somalia, where clan politics and regional ambitions often shape alliances within the armed forces. With both political and military figures involved, the situation risks escalating into open confrontation if dialogue does not resume soon. Local observers warn that unpaid and disillusioned troops could become a destabilizing force, particularly if they choose to act independently or align themselves with rival administrations.
While officials in Garowe have not issued a public statement on the issue, the growing discontent among the affected troops suggests deeper divisions within Puntland’s ranks. The suspension of salaries and supplies—though likely intended as a disciplinary measure—has instead highlighted how financial control is being used as a tool of political pressure. As the situation unfolds, regional stability in Sool and Cayn remains uncertain, with residents caught between shifting loyalties and the risk of renewed clashes.