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The Ministry of Defence for the Federal Republic of Somalia (MoD Somalia) that the National Armed Force have freed the hijacked Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel Lutuf with the aid of Turkish forces.
Vessel LUTUF, image credit: Cengiz Tokgoz
Puntland's Ministry of Security and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR),which operates under the regional government of Puntland, a semi-autonomous federal member state of Somalia has disputed MoD Somalia narrative, claiming that federal officers instead acted as intermediaries for the payment of the demanded ransom.
The MoD Somalia released a statement on 29 August stating to have freed the cargo vessel Latuf, which had been hijacked by pirates on 17 August. The vessel has since sailed to safety and resumed operations.
MoD Somalia stated that, with the cooperation of Turkish forces, around 14 pirates were killed and 10 boats destroyed in a 10-day operation, causing the remaining pirates to flee.
The vessel is reported to have been carrying Turkish weapons, communications equipment, and satellite equipment that were reportedly bound for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu. The vessel has 10 crew members including six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian and two Serbian security guards.
MoD Somalia elaborated that Turkish cooperation was warranted under the defence cooperation agreement between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Republic of Türkiye, which also extends to the protection of the Somali coastline from maritime piracy.
Puntland's Ministry of Security and DDR, however, has accused the Somali government of presenting a false narrative and of having secured the vessel's release by paying a ransom. Puntland further claimed that no operation resulting in the rescue of the vessel took place.
According to Puntland, federal officers acted as intermediaries between the hijackers and those arranging the ransom payment. The ransom has not been disclosed, and it remains unclear whether any formal negotiations were held.
Puntland has condemned the payment of ransom to secure the vessel's release, arguing that it would incentivise further hijackings and make the release of other hijacked vessels more difficult.
