Armed Pirates Seize Cargo Vessel Carrying Military Equipment off Puntland Coast

PUNTLAND, Somalia — Armed pirates have intercepted a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship off the coast of northeastern Somalia, redirecting the vessel, its crew, and its cargo toward the Nugaal coastline, regional authorities confirmed.

Incident Overview

• Vessel: M/V LUTUF (operated by Polar Movement Shipping, sailing under a Cameroonian flag)

• Location of Seizure: Approximately 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district

• Cargo: Military-grade weapons, satellite hardware, and communications gear destined for a Turkish defense training facility in Mogadishu

• Current Destination: Directed near the coastal area of Garmaal in the Dangoroyo district

Crew and Security Onboard

• 6 Indian nationals

• 1 Turkish national

• 1 Georgian national

• 2 Serbian security contractors

Escalation and Airstrike Security officials report that eight armed men carried out the boarding a faction suspected of involvement in the April 26 hijacking of the M/V Sward.

Following the incident, two Turkish-owned ships took up positions near the seized freighter, while Turkish aerial surveillance, including drones and helicopters, patrolled the perimeter.

On Tuesday, a skiff carrying two individuals made contact with the LUTUF to supply khat before heading back to the mainland.

Shortly after, a targeted airstrike struck the vicinity, leaving four dead and two injured.

Official confirmation regarding which military force executed the strike and the current operational status of the LUTUF and its crew remains pending.