A joint operation by Turkish and Somali military forces has successfully freed the MV Latuf, a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship held by pirates off Somalia's Puntland coast. The rescue marks another response to a recent surge in piracy attacks in the region.
Turkish and Somali defence forces have successfully liberated a cargo vessel that was seized by pirates operating off the coast of Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland state. The Somali Ministry of Defence announced the operation's success on Saturday, stating that 14 pirates were killed during the rescue effort and four pirate vessels were destroyed. The forces regained control of the MV Latuf after sustained military pressure forced the remaining pirates to abandon the ship.
The joint operation was conducted under an existing defence cooperation agreement between Somalia and Turkiye, which focuses on strengthening maritime security along Somalia's coastline and combating piracy in the region. While authorities confirmed that the crew and vessel were freed, the Ministry of Defence did not release specific information regarding crew casualties or their current condition. According to the Marine Traffic website, the ship has since resumed its journey toward its intended destination in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
The MV Latuf had departed from the Turkish port of Tekirdag in late July before being hijacked on August 17 off the Nugal region. The rescue operation reflects growing concerns about maritime security in the area, as piracy attacks have significantly increased in recent months. According to the International Maritime Organization, Somalia's waters have experienced at least 15 attacks this year—the highest annual figure since 2013. At least five cargo ships have been held hostage during this period, underscoring the renewed threat to commercial shipping in the region.
