Puntland Condemns Airstrikes as Turkey Denies Involvement

GAROWE — The Turkish government has officially stated that it has no information regarding airstrikes off the Puntland coast that killed nine people, amid growing controversy over attacks that reportedly targeted a mix of fishermen and individuals suspected of being part of Somali pirate networks.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official told media that Ankara is not aware of any air operations conducted by its forces in the area. The airstrikes in recent days have occurred near the location where the MV LUTUF, a cargo vessel reportedly carrying Turkish weapons and equipment, is being held by pirates who hijacked it on August 17 .

The LUTUF was seized on August 17 approximately 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district by eight armed pirates who directed it toward the Nugaal coast. The ship, owned by Polar Movement Shipping, was carrying weapons, communications and satellite equipment bound for the TURKSOM Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu. The crew consists of ten members: six Indian nationals, one Turkish national, one Georgian, and two Serbian security guards .

Puntland authorities have strongly condemned the airstrikes, which killed nine people in the Jiifle area of the Nugaal region on August 24. Puntland’s Deputy Minister of Information, Bile Mohamud Qabowsade, said the extrajudicial killings violate international law and that even if those targeted were criminals, they should have been subjected to legal process .

Puntland has been investigating the recent increase in piracy activity off its coast, with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources stating that the regional government remains fully committed to combating piracy and dismantling the criminal networks that facilitate, finance or benefit from it .

The airstrikes have sparked fear among civilians living in coastal villages, with reports of families fleeing their homes for fear of further attacks.

The MV LUTUF Hijacking and Turkish Response

The controversy over the airstrikes is directly linked to the hijacking of the MV LUTUF. Somali pirates holding the vessel have demanded a ransom of approximately $2 million for the release of the ship and its crew, according to unconfirmed reports, as the resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast continues to escalate .

Turkish authorities have not issued any official statement on the incident, and the circumstances surrounding an airstrike on August 18 that killed four men and wounded two others near the Garmaal coast remain unclear. The airstrike came after a small boat delivered khat to the hijacked vessel and returned to shore .

Puntland has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the airstrikes, stating that it possesses specific intelligence indicating that “forces beyond Puntland” are involved in the new piracy operations, and that there are political and financial officials providing support to these groups. Puntland did not name the specific forces or officials it suspects .

Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has addressed the escalating security situation, expressing dissatisfaction with how recent airstrikes were conducted and emphasizing the need for legal accountability. “We are not satisfied with how things happened, and we are deeply concerned. If someone commits a crime, we do not need to take extrajudicial action; crime has a legal process to follow,” Deni stated at a public gathering in Jariiban district .

The President also highlighted the need to address the root causes of piracy, particularly the involvement of youth. “On the other hand, if we do not address the situation of these young men, it will lead to more problems,” he said, emphasizing that these young men are sons of the region and calling on the community and traditional elders to play a role in addressing their situation .

Puntland’s Broader Security Stance

Puntland has previously invoked constitutional authority to reject Turkish maritime operations off its coast, asserting its jurisdiction over the management and exploitation of resources within its territory and territorial waters. The regional government cited Articles 44, 51, 52, 53, 54 and 142 of Somalia’s Provisional Federal Constitution, as well as Articles 4 and 54 of the Puntland Constitution, to support its position that it retains exclusive authority over its marine resources until the federal constitutional order is fully established and harmonised .

Puntland has previously expressed strong criticism of Turkey’s role in Somalia, with State Minister for Information Mohamud Aided Dirir characterising Turkey’s engagement as motivated by self-interest and asserting that its presence has failed to contribute significantly to long-term stability or governance improvements .

The dispute over maritime resources and foreign involvement further strains relations between Puntland and the Federal Government, which have already been marked by disagreements over constitutional amendments, elections, and the distribution of power .

Critical Note

Turkey’s public denial of involvement in the airstrikes off the Puntland coast creates a confusing and concerning picture. While Turkish media previously reported that Turkish forces conducted strikes against pirates holding the MV LUTUF, Ankara now says it has no information about these attacks. This contradiction raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in the conduct of counter-piracy operations.

If Turkish forces were responsible, the denial suggests a reluctance to acknowledge military actions that resulted in civilian casualties. If they were not responsible, the question of who carried out the strikes remains unanswered, leaving Puntland authorities and affected communities in the dark. Either way, the lack of clarity undermines trust and complicates efforts to address the resurgence of piracy.

The Puntland government is right to demand accountability and adherence to international law. Even in the fight against piracy, extrajudicial killings of suspected criminals are not permissible. The international community must press for a transparent investigation into these airstrikes and ensure that all counter-piracy operations respect the rule of law. Without such accountability, the fight against piracy risks fuelling further resentment and instability in coastal communities.

The broader context of Puntland’s rejection of Turkish maritime operations and the escalating tensions between Garowe and Mogadishu over security partnerships further complicates the situation. The Federal Government’s silence on the operation and its failure to provide a transparent account of the weapons shipment only deepens the mistrust between Mogadishu and Garowe.