Galkayo (WDN) – The Governor of Mudug Region under the Galmudug administration, Abdinasir “Mareexaan,” was wounded on Tuesday after heavy fighting erupted in Galkayo between forces aligned with Somalia’s Federal Government and a local clan militia, exposing growing security tensions in one of the country’s most strategically sensitive cities.

According to local sources, the confrontation was triggered by a disputed shipment of weapons allegedly transported by the Federal Government into southern Galkayo.

Reports indicate that the weapons, delivered aboard two vehicles after being unloaded at South Galkayo Airport, were intended for transfer to the northern part of the city, where Federal Government-backed forces originating from Puntland are stationed. Those forces reportedly continue to receive salaries from Mogadishu despite longstanding objections from the Puntland administration, which has repeatedly opposed their presence and legitimacy.

Local sources say the arms shipment was intercepted by clan militia members after it allegedly entered their area of influence. The weapons were then taken to a militia base in southern Galkayo, dramatically escalating tensions.

Federal Government forces subsequently launched an operation to recover the weapons, leading to an intense armed confrontation with the clan fighters. Witnesses described sustained exchanges of heavy gunfire that echoed across parts of Galkayo, sending residents scrambling for safety and raising fears that the violence could spread further across the divided city.

During the fighting, Mudug Governor Abdinasir was reportedly wounded. Authorities have not released official information regarding the severity of his injuries or the medical facility where he is receiving treatment. Neither the Federal Government nor military commanders involved in the confrontation have issued an official statement detailing casualties or confirming the sequence of events. As a result, the number of people killed or injured remains unknown.

The latest violence comes amid increasing political and security tensions in Galkayo, a city divided between Puntland and Galmudug that has historically been vulnerable to armed confrontations involving rival security forces, clan militias, and competing political interests.

The incident also follows growing accusations from Puntland that the Federal Government is attempting to deploy weapons and establish loyal armed units inside Puntland territory without the consent of the regional administration—claims that Mogadishu has yet to publicly address.

As of publication, neither the Galmudug administration nor Somalia’s Federal Government had issued a comprehensive statement explaining the fighting or outlining measures to prevent further escalation.

Local elders and community leaders are expected to intensify mediation efforts in an attempt to restore calm and prevent the latest confrontation from developing into a broader regional security crisis.

WardheerNews