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Puntland Bans Militia Vehicles and Requires Federal Forces to Seek Regional Approval
Puntland authorities announced new security measures on 24 June 2026 after a Security Committee meeting. The steps include bans on armed militia vehicles, militia recruitment, and human smuggling, plus requirements for federal officials to follow regional procedures. The moves come amid tensions with Somalia's federal government.
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Puntland authorities on Wednesday announced new security measures that ban armed technical vehicles operated by illegal militias from moving across the region and prohibit the recruitment of militia forces. Security forces received instructions to act against violators of the vehicle ban, while individuals involved in organizing or recruiting militias face legal action, according to the announcement issued after a meeting of Puntland's Security Committee and relevant government ministries.
Federal government officials and security officers from Somalia must comply with Puntland's legal and administrative procedures before operating or conducting activities in the region.
The regional government also ordered a crackdown on human smuggling networks, directing the closure of offices and facilities suspected of involvement in migrant trafficking and stating that smugglers and their assistants would face prosecution. Puntland further banned meetings deemed harmful to the region's security and stability, with violators subject to prosecution.
The statement included a warning against the deployment of unauthorized weapons and forces into Puntland territory by the federal government.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political tensions between Puntland and the federal government over security, governance and constitutional issues, AllAfrica reported.
