Four Suspected Pirates Killed in Drone Strike off Somalia’s Puntland Coast
Four suspected pirates were killed in a drone strike off Somalia’s Puntland coast after allegedly hijacking a commercial vessel bound for Mogadishu, Puntland security officials said.
GARMAAL, Somalia (Somali Report) — Four suspected pirates were killed and two others wounded on Tuesday in a drone strike off the coast of Garmaal in Somalia’s Puntland region, after they were allegedly involved in the hijacking of a commercial vessel bound for Mogadishu, according to Puntland security officials who spoke to Somali Report.
The four men were travelling in a small boat when the strike hit as they were reportedly heading towards the shore, according to the officials. Puntland security sources said the drone that carried out the attack belonged to Turkey.
The men were among a group of eight suspected pirates who allegedly hijacked the M/V LUTUF on Tuesday off the coast of Marraya in the Eyl district, according to information obtained by Somali Report.
The vessel was reportedly flying the flag of Cameroon and owned by a Turkish company. It was said to be sailing towards Mogadishu when it was seized.
There were 10 people aboard the vessel, including six Indian nationals, one Turkish national and one Georgian national, as well as two security guards whose nationalities have not yet been confirmed.
The circumstances surrounding the fate of the remaining crew members and the other suspected hijackers were not immediately clear.
Sources said the pirates may have used another vessel already under their control, the MV Sward, in carrying out the hijacking. The vessel was reportedly transporting agricultural fertiliser equipment.
The four men killed in Wednesday’s strike were believed to be members of the group involved in the seizure of the M/V LUTUF, although further details about the operation and the identities of those killed were not immediately available.
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Puntland authorities have not publicly released detailed information about the reported strike or confirmed whether the operation was coordinated with Turkish authorities.
The reported attack comes as concerns over renewed piracy along Somalia’s coastline have grown, raising fears for commercial vessels operating in waters off the Horn of Africa.
Somalia’s coastline has long been a major piracy hotspot, although international naval patrols and improved security measures significantly reduced attacks over the past decade. Recent incidents have renewed concerns among shipping operators about the security of maritime trade routes in the region.
The reported use of a Turkish drone also highlights Ankara’s growing security role in Somalia. Turkey has maintained close military and economic ties with the Somali government and has supported the country’s security forces through training and military cooperation.
However, the reported strike occurred in Puntland, which has had political disagreements with Somalia’s federal government over security and other issues.
No immediate statement was available from Turkish authorities confirming their involvement in the strike.
The incident could further increase international attention on Somalia’s maritime security, particularly as shipping companies continue to face risks from piracy and other threats along important commercial routes connecting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
The return of piracy along Somalia’s coast comes amid the wider disruption to maritime security caused by the war in the Middle East, which has forced many commercial vessels to avoid key shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. At least five vessels are currently believed to be held off the Somali coast, according to maritime security reports, raising fresh concerns over the safety of international shipping in the region.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.