Turkish and Somali Forces Free Hijacked Vessel Off Puntland Coast



MOGADISHU, Somalia — Turkish and Somali forces have freed the Cameroon-flagged MV LUTUF, a cargo vessel hijacked by pirates off the coast of Puntland on August 17, according to Somalia’s Ministry of Defence.

The ministry said the 10-day operation was carried out under the defence cooperation agreement between Somalia and Türkiye. It reported that 14 alleged pirates were killed and four boats used by the attackers were destroyed, while the remaining pirates abandoned the vessel under sustained military pressure.

The vessel was subsequently secured and resumed its journey. Local sources also confirmed that the ship and its crew were freed.

However, Puntland authorities have disputed the federal government’s account, rejecting the claim that a joint Somali-Turkish military operation led to the vessel’s release. Puntland officials instead allege that federal government representatives and Turkish authorities facilitated a ransom payment to the pirates.

Puntland’s Ministry of Security has condemned the alleged payment, warning that ransom payments could encourage further piracy. The claim has not been independently verified.

The conflicting accounts come amid growing concerns over a resurgence of piracy along Somalia’s coastline, with several vessels reportedly targeted in recent months. The incident has also highlighted continuing tensions between Somalia’s federal government and Puntland over security operations conducted along Puntland’s coast.

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