The Puntland Security Force (PSF) said its troops were on a routine security operation in Laag, Bari region, where they clashed with Puntland forces.
The PSF secretary general, Abdikaliq Awil, told the BBC that on Monday morning, PSF troops in eight vehicles were on a security operation when they were stopped in Laag, about 30 kilometers from the city of Bosaso.
Awil said his troops, who he said were from the Federal Government of Somalia, tried to contact officials on the other side to defuse the situation, but there was gunfire that continued until morning prayers. He stressed that their operation was not a military operation.
The PSF official also said that, according to their information, no soldiers or civilians were killed or injured in the clash.
Meanwhile, Puntland issued a press release stating that Puntland forces carried out a security operation against PSF forces in the Laag area, accusing the Federal Government of being behind the creation of chaos in Puntland.
