Turkish and Somali forces have freed a cargo ship seized by pirates off Somalia’s Puntland coast after a 10-day operation, Somali authorities said.
The Cameroon-flagged MV Latuf was hijacked on August 17 in waters off Puntland’s Nugal region. Somali authorities said 14 pirates were killed during the operation and four boats used by the attackers were destroyed.
The remaining pirates abandoned the vessel after coming under sustained pressure from the forces, allowing them to regain control of the ship, Somalia’s Defence Ministry said.
The ministry did not provide details on casualties among the crew.
A local elder, Abdullahi Warsame, confirmed to The Associated Press that the vessel and its crew had been freed.
The ship left the Turkish port of Tekirdag in late July and was heading to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Tracking data cited by Al Jazeera showed that it had resumed its voyage after being freed.
Piracy returns to Somali waters
The operation comes as piracy off Somalia’s coast shows signs of returning after years of decline.
Pirate attacks were widespread in the 2000s and peaked in 2011 before falling sharply following international naval patrols and improved security measures aboard commercial vessels.
But attacks have increased again this year. The International Maritime Organization has recorded at least 15 attacks off Somalia since January, the highest number since 2013, according to Al Jazeera. At least five cargo ships have been held by pirates, with the latest seizure reported on August 20 off the coast of Yemen.
The renewed attacks have raised concerns about maritime security along one of the world’s most important shipping routes, particularly as instability elsewhere in the region continues to disrupt commercial traffic.
Turkey-Somalia security cooperation
The rescue operation was carried out under a defence cooperation agreement between Somalia and Türkiye that includes maritime security, protection of Somalia’s coastline and efforts to combat piracy.
The operation also reflects the growing security relationship between Ankara and Mogadishu, with Turkey providing support aimed at strengthening Somalia’s maritime capabilities.
For the crew of the MV Latuf, however, the immediate outcome was simpler: after 10 days in captivity, the ship was back under their control and continuing its journey to Tanzania.
