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Turkish Navy and Somali Forces Retake Cargo Ship MV Lutuf After 10-Day Operation

The Turkish navy, in coordination with Somali armed forces, successfully retook the cargo ship MV Lutuf after a 10-day operation. The vessel, which operates under the Cameroonian flag, was seized by pirates on August 17 off the coast of the Puntland region in Somalia. During the military action, 14 pirates were allegedly killed and four of their boats were destroyed. The operation was conducted as part of a defense cooperation agreement between Turkey and Somalia signed in February 2024. While the Somali government credited the release of the vessel to this pact, Puntland authorities disputed the account, suggesting the ship was freed through a ransom payment rather than a military rescue. This incident marks a significant escalation in a piracy resurgence that began in April. Since the start of the year, at least 15 ships have been attacked or seized in Somali waters. The resurgence is attributed to several factors, including the diversion of international naval forces to the US-Iran conflict, rising fuel costs, and local grievances over overfishing by foreign trawlers. The MV Lutuf was carrying weapons and satellite equipment bound for a Turkish military base in Somalia.

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