Turkish Navy Frees Hijacked Ship MV Lutuf Under Somalia Defence Pact; Puntland Disputes Rescue Account

Somalia's federal government said Turkish naval forces freed the cargo ship MV Lutuf on August 29 after a ten-day pursuit, killing 14 pirates under a 2024 defence pact. Puntland's security ministry disputes this, claiming the vessel was released via ransom. The competing accounts remain unverified. The rescue coincides with at least 15 pirate attacks off Somalia in 2026.