Garowe (HOL) — Puntland security forces on Saturday arrested former chairman of the Puntland Football Association, Mohamed Ali Isse (known as Ciiro), at Garowe airport as he prepared to leave the city.

Authorities have not released an official statement, but local reports suggest Ciiro’s arrest is linked either to his refusal to hand over the association’s office to new leadership or to alleged ties with officials in Mogadishu.

His detention coincided with a Somali Football Federation (SFF) executive committee meeting in Mogadishu. The federation has rejected the recent election that replaced Ciiro with Abdihakin Hakiiki, continuing to recognize Ciiro as chairman.

Ciiro had accused Puntland’s Ministry of Youth and Sports of interfering in the election and backing Hakiiki. The dispute has since divided Puntland’s top football clubs, some of which have declared loyalty to rival factions.

The arrest marks the latest escalation in a leadership battle that has paralyzed football governance in Puntland.