BOSASO (Dawan), August 30, 2026 – Puntland’s Ministry of Security said the MV LATUF and its crew regained their freedom after being held by armed pirates off the Puntland coast since August 17, but denied that the vessel was freed through a joint operation by Somalia’s Federal Government and Türkiye.
The ministry was responding to a statement issued by Somalia’s Ministry of Defence on August 29, which said Somali forces and the Turkish Navy had freed the vessel in a joint operation. Puntland presented a different account of how the vessel was released.
Puntland alleged that officials from Somalia’s Federal Government and Türkiye facilitated a ransom payment to secure the vessel’s release, warning that paying pirates could undermine international efforts to combat piracy and encourage further maritime crime.
The ministry said it had monitored communications between Federal Government officials and the group holding the vessel, which it alleged were intended to facilitate the payment of a ransom.