Turkish Navy Frees Hijacked Ship Off Somalia; Puntland Disputes the Account

Somalia says 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 — a bilateral military agreement. Puntland's security ministry disputes this, claiming the vessel was released via ransom. Both accounts remain unverified. The rescue coincides with at least 15 pirate attacks off Somalia in 2026.