GAROWE, Somalia — (HornPost) Puntland’s Ministry of Security and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) has disputed Somalia’s federal government’s account of the release of the MV LATUF, saying no joint military operation by Türkiye and the Federal Government of Somalia was conducted to free the vessel from pirates.
The Puntland ministry said the vessel and its crew regained their freedom after being held by armed pirates who hijacked the ship on Aug. 17, 2026, off the coast of Jifle in Eyl district, Nugaal region.
The statement directly contradicts a release issued by Somalia’s Ministry of Defense on Aug. 29, which said the Turkish Navy, working with the Somali National Army, had rescued the vessel following a 10-day operation.
Puntland Rejects Federal Government Account
In its statement, Puntland’s Ministry of Security and DDR welcomed the release of the MV LATUF and its crew but rejected the claim that the vessel had been freed through a joint Somalia-Türkiye military operation.
The ministry said there had been no operation conducted by the Federal Government of Somalia and Türkiye to rescue the vessel, contrary to the account presented by the federal Ministry of Defense.
Puntland also accused officials from the former federal administration and the Turkish government of paying a ransom to secure the vessel’s release.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Puntland Alleges Ransom Negotiations
According to the Puntland statement, its authorities had been monitoring telephone communications between officials in senior offices of the Federal Government of Somalia and the pirates holding the MV LATUF.
The ministry alleged that those communications were aimed at facilitating the payment of a ransom and securing the vessel’s release.
Puntland strongly criticized the alleged ransom payment, arguing that paying pirates could undermine international efforts to combat maritime piracy and create financial incentives for further vessel hijackings.
The ministry said ransom payments could also make it more difficult to secure the release of other vessels currently held by pirates.
The Puntland government has previously warned against ransom payments, saying they could strengthen the financial capacity of pirate networks.
Puntland Accuses Türkiye of Airstrikes
The Puntland Ministry of Security and DDR also accused Türkiye of carrying out airstrikes that allegedly killed Somali civilians near the Garmaal and Jifle coastlines on Aug. 18 and Aug. 20.
According to Puntland, the strikes also destroyed fishing boats.
The ministry said Türkiye justified the actions on the grounds that it was attempting to prevent young people in the area from joining the pirates holding the MV LATUF.
Puntland said its investigative authorities are completing an inquiry into the reported deaths and destruction of fishing vessels.
The regional administration said it would seek to hold Türkiye accountable for what it described as the killing of Somali citizens outside international law and violations of principles protecting human rights and the value of human life.
The allegations have not been independently verified.
Conflicting Accounts Over the MV LATUF
The competing statements have created two sharply different accounts of how the MV LATUF and its crew were released.
Somalia’s Ministry of Defense said the Turkish Navy and Somali National Army carried out a 10-day operation, destroyed four boats used by pirates and killed 14 pirates before remaining pirates fled the vessel.
Puntland, however, says the vessel was not rescued through such an operation and instead alleges that a ransom was paid.
The Puntland statement did not provide a confirmed amount for the alleged ransom.
Earlier reports circulating in Somali media cited different figures, including $400,000 and $1.5 million, but those figures have not been independently confirmed.
Puntland Calls for Stronger International Cooperation
Puntland urged international partners, including the European Union, United States and other countries involved in maritime security, to strengthen cooperation against piracy and other crimes at sea.
The ministry said Puntland remains committed to combating piracy, terrorism and other criminal activities threatening maritime and regional security.
The dispute comes as Somalia and international partners face renewed concerns over piracy along the country’s coastline and the security of shipping routes across the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
The conflicting accounts from Mogadishu and Puntland also highlight the broader political and security tensions between Somalia’s federal government and the Puntland administration over responsibility for security operations and maritime affairs.
press release in Somali
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
GAROWE, Somalia
