GALKAYO (SD) – The Governor of Mudug region in Somalia’s Galmudug administration, Abdinasir “Marehan,” was injured after armed clashes broke out in Galkayo between forces of the Federal Government of Somalia and clan-affiliated fighters.

According to local reports, the confrontation began after ammunition belonging to the Somali government reportedly fell into the hands of clan forces, who transported it to their camp in southern Galkayo.

The ammunition had reportedly arrived at South Galkayo Airport aboard two trucks and was intended for transfer to federal-aligned forces based in northern Galkayo. Those forces are reportedly funded by the Federal Government but remain opposed by the Puntland administration.

The dispute quickly escalated when federal forces attempted to recover the ammunition, triggering heavy exchanges of gunfire around the camp.

Witnesses said intense fighting spread to parts of the city, causing panic among residents and disrupting normal activities.

Governor Abdinasir was wounded during the clashes, although officials have not released details about the severity of his injuries or where he is receiving treatment.

Neither the Federal Government nor the Galmudug administration has issued an official statement confirming casualties, and the number of people killed or injured remains unknown.

The latest violence comes amid continuing political and security tensions in Galkayo, a city that has frequently experienced clashes involving rival security forces and local armed groups.

The incident highlights the increasingly fragmented security environment in central Somalia, where overlapping loyalties between federal forces, regional administrations, and clan-based militias continue to complicate security operations. Reports that the ammunition was intended for federal-backed forces opposed by Puntland further underscore the political divisions affecting military deployments.

The injury of a regional governor illustrates how quickly localized disputes can escalate into broader confrontations involving government officials. Unless the competing authorities establish clearer command structures and coordination mechanisms, similar incidents are likely to continue, increasing instability in strategically important areas such as Galkayo.