Türkiye has officially confirmed that it is providing support to Somali authorities responding to the hijacking of the M/V LUTUF in Somali territorial waters.
Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence said Turkish forces are providing the necessary support to Somali authorities, in coordination with the Turkish Foreign Ministry, following the hijacking of the vessel.
The M/V LUTUF, a Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel, was hijacked off the coast of Puntland earlier this month. The vessel was reportedly carrying Turkish weapons and communications equipment bound for Mogadishu.
The confirmation from Ankara comes amid continuing questions over the response to the hijacking and a series of disputed strikes along Puntland’s coast. Puntland authorities have accused Türkiye and Somalia’s Federal Government of involvement in the strikes, while reports have differed over who carried them out.
Türkiye’s latest statement confirms its support for Somalia in responding to the hijacking, but does not by itself establish that Turkish forces carried out the disputed coastal strikes.
The development highlights the growing security cooperation between Ankara and Mogadishu, as Somalia faces a renewed wave of piracy along its coastline.
