Somali and Turkish forces have freed the cargo ship MV Latuf off the coast of Puntland after a 10-day operation that left 14 pirates dead. The announcement was made on Saturday by the government in Mogadishu.
The joint military action destroyed four craft used by the pirates and forced the remaining hijackers to abandon the vessel. Somali defense officials confirmed that Turkish naval units worked alongside the Somali National Army to end the standoff.
Pirates originally seized the MV Latuf on August 17, 2026, near the coast of Jifyl in the Eyl district of the Nugaal region, located in Puntland. The Somali Ministry of Defense did not specify what cargo the vessel was carrying at the time of the hijacking.
Puntland is a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia along the Horn of Africa, while Mogadishu serves as the country's federal capital. The coastal district of Eyl has historically been a major hub for maritime piracy operations in the region.
Naval Operation and Ship Rescues
According to tracking data from ship monitoring website MarineTraffic, the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship departed from Turkey in late July. It was traveling toward the commercial port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania when attackers intercepted it.
Sources in Puntland reported that at least eight crew members were on board the vessel during the incident, including at least one Turkish national.
International media outlets reported that Turkish weapons were on board the ship. However, when questioned by Agence France-Presse, federal authorities in Somalia and regional officials in Puntland did not confirm those reports.
Following the military operation, Turkish forces secured the MV Latuf to guarantee its safety. The defense ministry stated that the ship has since resumed its journey toward Tanzania in full safety.
Resurgence of Horn of Africa Piracy
The hijacking comes amid a sharp increase in maritime attacks off the Horn of Africa since April. An analysis by Agence France-Presse based on International Maritime Organization data showed at least 15 attacks off the coast of Somalia since the beginning of 2026.
This total represents the highest number of pirate attacks recorded in the area since 2013. The International Maritime Organization is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for regulating global shipping safety and security standards.
At least five vessels remain in the hands of Somali pirates across the region. The latest ship was seized on August 20 off the coast of Yemen.
