Turkish and Somali forces rescue MV LATUF, kill 14 pirates
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Turkish Navy and Somali armed forces rescued the hijacked cargo ship MV LATUF off Somalia in a joint operation. Somali government said 14 pirates were killed and four pirate boats destroyed during the 10-day operation. The crew, including at least one Turkish citizen, was freed after being held captive for days.
Key Facts
- Somali government announced 14 pirates were killed during the operation to free MV LATUF.
- Four boats used by the pirates were destroyed, according to the Somali Ministry of Defense.
- The Cameroon-flagged MV LATUF departed Turkey in late July bound for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- At least 15 pirate attacks have been recorded off Somalia this year, the highest since 2013.
- At least five cargo ships have been seized by pirates since April, with the latest on August 20 off Yemen.
Joint Rescue Operation
Turkish Navy and Somali armed forces conducted a joint operation to rescue the hijacked cargo ship MV LATUF off the coast of Somalia. The Somali government announced that 14 pirates were killed during the approximately 10-day operation. The Somali Ministry of Defense stated that four boats used by the pirates were destroyed. According to the ministry, continuous military pressure eventually forced the remaining pirates to abandon the ship. Somali forces and the Turkish Navy then secured control of the vessel, which continued its voyage safely.
Crew and Vessel Details
At least eight crew members were aboard the vessel, including one Turkish citizen, according to sources in Puntland. The Cameroon-flagged ship departed Turkey in late July and was heading to Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, according to Marine Traffic data. The operation was carried out under the defense cooperation agreement between Turkey and Somalia.
Rising Piracy Threat
Piracy off Somalia became a serious security problem in the 2000s, peaking in 2011, before declining due to international naval operations and new security measures. According to the International Maritime Organization, piracy activity in the region has increased again since April. At least 15 attacks have been recorded off Somalia this year, the highest level since 2013. At least five cargo ships have been seized by pirates since April, with the latest incident occurring on August 20 off Yemen.
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Turkish and Somali forces rescue MV LATUF, kill 14 pirates
