Turkish vessel freed after seizure by pirates, Somali officials say
Turkish and Somali forces killed 14 alleged pirates and destroyed four boats in the rescue operation, the defense ministry said.
- On Saturday, Turkish and Somali forces freed the Cameroon-flagged vessel MV Lutuf, which pirates had hijacked off the coast of Puntland on August 17. The operation destroyed four pirate boats and freed the crew.
- Puntland officials alleged Turkish forces conducted deadly drone strikes near the vessel, though the Turkish defense ministry stated only that its forces provided "necessary support" under a defense cooperation agreement. The BBC has not independently verified the allegations.
- Somali defense officials reported 14 alleged pirates were killed and four boats destroyed during the operation. Separate allegations indicate 13 men died in two drone strikes since August 18, targeting a network supplying the pirates.
- The incident highlights a long-standing political dispute between semi-autonomous Puntland and Mogadishu, as analysts warn Turkey's military presence complicates regional anti-piracy efforts. Puntland security officials demanded explanations for the strikes.
- Somali piracy has surged to at least 13 attacks this year, the biggest escalation in more than a decade. Instability from the US-Iran war in the Gulf of Aden creates a gray zone exploited by criminal networks.
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101 Articles
According to the government in Mogadishu, Somali and Turkish forces have liberated a cargo ship captured by pirates.
Turkish Arms Ship Freed Off Somalia as Rescue Accounts Clash
Somalia · MARITIME SECURITY Key Facts —Seizure Eight armed men seized the Cameroon-flagged MV LUTUF on 17 August, about 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district. —Crew The ten people aboard were six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian and two Serbian security guards. —Release Somalia’s defense ministry said a joint Somali-Turkish operation […] The post Turkish Arms Ship Freed Off Somalia as Rescue Accounts Clash appeared…
In a joint operation by the Turkish Navy and the Somali armed forces, the MV LATUF, which had been hijacked off the coast of Somalia, was rescued. During the operation, 14 pirates were killed and 4 boats were destroyed.
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