BOSASO (HOL) – Heavy fighting between two rival Puntland forces has started in Bosaso town in Bari region of Northeastern Somalia after efforts to end the differences over the sacking of Puntland Security Forces boss failed.

According to multiple sources in the Ridwaan neighbourhood, the sides have been amassing  reinforcement in the neighborhood as residents started fleeing homes.

It is not yet clear how today’s fighting flared up but reports say that forces loyal to Puntland state president Said Abdullahi Deni had attacked Puntland Security Forces (PSF) headquarters.

The fighting comes less than two weeks after Deni rejected a proposal by elders in Bari region to allow Diyano to retain assets he used during his tenure in the force.

Reacting to the proposal by the leaders following a standoff that has persisted close to a month, Deni said the assets, including a house and vehicles, belonged to the state and not individual officers.

The immediate former PSF boss had declined to leave office following his sacking mid last month sparking a stand between him and Deni igniting rifts within the force.