They are following the P/land soldiers model through mutiny taking over buildings, this is a more effective safer way to protest then begging civilian's for the money or joining criminal networks which is what they did under HSM, they literally made their money through private security because of the corruption.
@Canuck
Sister this is happening in Galmudug to, as soon as Xaaf was inaugerated they took over the parliment due to lack of pay, the same is about to happen in J/land.
This is a blessing in disguise, I rather they directly disrupt the fat cat politican's than do what they used to do which caused the residents a lot of grief, it's only about a 100 of them not that many, more then 400 took over Galmudug parliment, this shames the fat cats publically beyond belief and hence they are forced to pay them to safe public face.
During HSM reign it was impossible to build homes without them harrassing you for money (because they didn't get paid) this has become much harder for them now, let them target every federal leader physically, it puts pressure on them.
If British soldiers were not paid their salary they would take over government buildings especially those responsible for paying them, hence why they targeted the defence building.