Türkiye Stops Short of Denying Deadly Puntland Coastal Strikes in Response to BBC

GAROWE, Puntland — Türkiye has not formally denied involvement in two deadly strikes that reportedly killed at least 13 people along Puntland’s coast, as Turkish vessels, helicopters and drones maintain a presence around the pirate-held cargo ship M/V LUTUF.

When contacted by BBC Somali about the attacks, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry reportedly said it had “no information” about the operation. That response did not constitute an explicit denial that Turkish forces were involved.

There is a significant difference between a government saying, “We did not carry out the attacks,” and saying, “We have no information.” The first is a categorical denial, while the second neither confirms responsibility nor rules out involvement.

Ankara has so far issued no public statement explicitly declaring that Turkish forces did not conduct the strikes.

Two strikes reportedly killed at least 13 people

The first attack occurred near Garmaal after a small boat reportedly returned from delivering supplies to the hijacked M/V LUTUF. Four people were killed and two others wounded.

Initial reports described those killed as suspected pirates. However, relatives and local residents rejected that account, identifying them as civilian fishermen. Puntland authorities have also condemned attacks targeting civilians and property belonging to coastal communities.

A second strike was reported near Jiifle on August 23. At least nine people were reportedly killed when a missile struck a small boat that had departed from the Dhinowda Dhig coastal area.

The second attack occurred after the M/V LUTUF was moved towards the Jiifle coastline. The identities of those aboard the boat and whether they had any connection to the hijackers have not been independently established.

No country has formally claimed responsibility for either attack. Nevertheless, questions surrounding Türkiye’s possible role have intensified because Turkish naval and aerial assets were reported operating close to the hijacked vessel when the strikes occurred.

Ship was carrying cargo to Türkiye’s Mogadishu base

The Cameroon-flagged M/V LUTUF was hijacked on August 17 approximately 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland’s Eyl district.

The vessel was transporting weapons, communications equipment and satellite technology destined for the Turkish military training facility known as TURKSOM in Mogadishu, according to the Associated Press, which cited a Somali official familiar with the incident.

Ten crew members were aboard: six Indian nationals, one Turkish national, one Georgian and two Serbian security guards.

Following the hijacking, two Turkish-owned vessels approached the M/V LUTUF, while Turkish helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles monitored the ship and the surrounding coastal area. Local accounts have also described Turkish warships as surrounding or closely monitoring the hijacked vessel.

The presence of Turkish military assets, the vessel’s Turkish military cargo and the succession of deadly strikes have placed Ankara’s role under increasing scrutiny.

However, Türkiye’s statement to BBC Somali—that it had “no information” about the operation—does not establish who carried out the attacks. Equally, it cannot accurately be presented as a formal Turkish denial.

Puntland demands an explanation

Puntland has called on countries participating in international counter-piracy operations to explain the attacks conducted along its coastline.

The Puntland Security Ministry condemned the resurgence of piracy but warned that military operations harming civilians and their property could undermine cooperation between Puntland’s security institutions and international partners involved in combating piracy.

Responsibility for the two attacks remains officially unconfirmed. The central unanswered question is why Türkiye, despite the presence of its vessels and aircraft around the M/V LUTUF, has said only that it has “no information” rather than categorically denying that its forces carried out the strikes.

GAROWE ONLINE