Friday October 31, 2025
Garowe (HOL) — More than 2,500 soldiers based in Garowe,
Bosaso, and Galkayo have received payments of $200 each from the Federal Government
of Somalia over the past two days, according to officials and bank transfer
records reviewed by Hiiraan Online.
The payments were reportedly made via electronic transfer,
with remittance messages identifying the recipients as members of the Somali National
Army (SNA).
Officials familiar with the process said most of the
payments went to soldiers from the Puntland Security Force (PSF) in Bosaso and
to members of the Danab commando unit led by Gen. Jimcaale Jama Takar in
Garowe.
Both groups have been at the center of growing tensions
after Puntland’s administration, led by President Said Abdullahi Deni,
reportedly cut off their salaries in recent months — a move that fueled anger
and frustration among the troops.
Reports also indicate that SNA-affiliated soldiers stationed
in Galkayo received similar payments from Mogadishu.
The federal government’s direct payments follow President
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent remarks acknowledging the presence of national
army troops operating in Puntland, despite the region’s semi-autonomous status.
Meanwhile, Puntland authorities have halted salary and food
provisions for troops based in the Sool and Cayn regions after those areas
aligned with the newly declared Northeastern Federal Member State.
Sources said the decision was driven by frustration in
Garowe after some officers in those regions refused to obey Puntland’s chain of
command and instead pledged loyalty to the emerging local administration.
The overlapping disputes underscore the deepening rift between
Puntland and the federal government, as both sides vie for control and
influence over security forces and territory in northern Somalia.