The Puntland Security Force (PSF) is the law enforcement and security force of the autonomous Puntland state in Somalia. The PSF was formed in 2002 to combat terrorism in the region and is independent from the Somali Federal government and the Puntland government. Among PSF’s main functions are conducting crime scene analysis, capturing and eliminating high-level targets, and reconnaissance. The PSF has approximately 600 members as of 2021.
Since the founding of the state in 1998, the PSF has operated in Puntland and throughout Somalia. Commanders and senior officials are appointed by a qualified panel approved by the Council of Ministers. The Puntland security apparatus has an independent military judiciary, which during peacetime only adjudges military proceedings. Retired members of the Force are also constitutionally guaranteed pensions.
History
The Puntland Security Force was formed by in 1998 by the Puntland government.
In 2002, amid concerns that al-Qaeda elements were operating in East Africa, the PSF was formally established as part of the Puntland Intelligence Security (PIS), which combined the PSF and the Puntland Intelligence Agency (PIA), with assistance from the Puntland government and the Central Intelligence Agency.
In 2003, Mohamed Aden Bidar was appointed as the first PIS Director. Bidar then resigned and moved to Mogadishu where he became the first Commander of the Somali National Security Services (NSS). In 2004, Osman Abdullahi Mohamoud was appointed as PIS Director.
In 2009, President Faroole elected Colonel Ali Bindhe as a PIS Director without the consultation of U.S officials in Somalia. The officials rejected the appointment due to Bindhe’s lack of security experience. President Faroole and US officials agreed to divide the PIS into two divisions: the Puntland Security Force as a counterterrorism force, and the Puntland Intelligence Agency as an intelligence agency. The newly independent PSF was led by Director General Osman Abdullahi Mohamud.
After Mohamud's death, Asad Osman Abdullahi was appointed the new PSF Director in 2010. In December 2018, Asad Osman Abdullahi resigned as the PSF General Director. After consultation with U.S officials, Mohamud Osman Abdullahi was appointed as General Director.
In December 2021, fighting erupted between Puntland Security Force and forces loyal to Puntland government of President Said Abdullahi Deni when the President sacked Mohamud Osman Diyano, the director of PSF. This resulted in deaths and injuries to the combatants and civilians in Bossaso as the sides exchanged fire from all sorts of heavy and light arms.
Puntland Dervish Force
The Puntland Dervish Force is separate from the PSF and operates officially as the National Guard of Puntland's Armed Forces.
Equipment
Individual WeaponsAKM (Assault Rifle - 7.62×39mm) AK-74 (Assault Rifle - 5.45×39mm) PK machine gun (General-purpose machine gun - 7.62×54mmR) Sniper Rifle SVD Dragunov (Sniper Rifle - 7.62×54mmR) Anti-Tank Explosive RPG-7 (rocket-propelled grenade launcher - 40 mm) Vehicles Main Battle Tank T-54/T-55 Armoured Personnel Carrier BTR-60 Fiat 6614 Military trucks Renault GBC 180 (6×6) M939 Truck (6×6) Pickup trucks Toyota Land Cruiser J79 Toyota Hilux Nissan Frontier Armored Ford F350 Gun Truck Artillery and heavy machine guns Heavy machine guns 12.7mm DShK 12.7mm NSV Self-Propelled Artillery 122mm BM-21 Grad Multiple Rocket Launcher Mortar 60mm M-224 Anti-Aircraft Gun ZU-23-2
Puntland Police Force
The Puntland security apparatus also operates its own police force. The latter includes a Special Protection Unit.
Puntland Intelligence Agency
The Puntland Intelligence Agency is the intelligence bureau of Puntland's military. It was officially established in 2001 as the Puntland Intelligence Service during the rule of President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, with help from the United States. The agency principally operates in the Puntland region, where it serves as the main intelligence and counter-terrorism wing of the government's security forces.
Puntland Maritime Police Force
The Puntland Maritime Police Force is a locally recruited, professional maritime security force. It is primarily aimed at preventing, detecting and eradicating piracy, illegal fishing, and other illicit activity off of the coast of Somalia, in addition to generally safeguarding the nation's marine resources.