Pirates seize Turkish arms shipment off Somalia; casualties reported after raid

A cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons and sophisticated equipment was hijacked by pirates approximately six kilometers off the coast of Marrayah in Somalia's eastern Puntland region. The vessel, Lutuf, sailing under the flag of Cameroon, was reportedly destined for a Turkish military training center in Mogadishu.

The ship, owned by Polar Movement Shipping, was laden not only with weapons but also with satellite equipment and communication devices. On board were ten crew members: six Indian nationals, two Serbs, one Turk, and one Georgian. According to reports, eight pirates boarded the vessel and steered it towards the Somali coast.

Following the hijacking, two Turkish vessels approached the captured ship, with Turkish helicopters and drones monitoring the situation from the air. The pirates reportedly received khat, a stimulant, from individuals who arrived by boat before the situation escalated.

Subsequently, the ship was attacked, resulting in an airstrike that killed four pirates and injured two others. The source of the airstrike remains unconfirmed, and Turkish authorities have not yet issued a statement regarding the incident.