MOGADISHU: Turkiye’s navy, along with Somali armed forces, have freed a hijacked vessel held in Somali waters and killed 14 pirates after a battle lasting several days, Mogadishu’s government said on Saturday.
“During the ten-day operation, four boats used by the pirates were destroyed and 14 pirates were killed,” said a Somali government statement.
“The sustained military pressure finally forced the remaining pirates to abandon the ship,” it added.
“The forces subsequently secured the MV LATUF, which has now safely resumed its journey.” The Marine Traffic website shows that the vessel, which operates under a Cameroonian flag, left Turkiye in late July bound for the Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam.
According to international media reports it was carrying Turkish weapons.
Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026
