Somalia Cargo Ship Hijacking
Pirates Hijack Cargo Ship Carrying Turkish Military Weapons off Somalia's Coast
Pirates hijacked a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship carrying Turkish weapons off Somalia's coast on Monday. The M/V LUTUF was seized about 3.5 nautical miles off Marraya in Puntland's Eyl district Winnipeg Free Press, according to local officials. The ship's 10-member crew included six Indians, one Turkish national, one Georgian, and two Serbian security guards KARK.
The vessel was carrying weapons bound for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu, along with communications and satellite equipment. Pirates believed connected to previous hijackings towed the ship toward the coast near Garmaal in Puntland's Dangoroyo district. An airstrike following the seizure killed four men and wounded two others Seattle Pi.
Turkish Military Supplies Become Pirate Prize
The M/V LUTUF was en route with sensitive cargo when pirates struck. The ship, owned by Polar Movement Shipping Yahoo News Canada, carried weapons destined for Turkey's military training operations in Mogadishu. It also had communications and satellite equipment aboard. The hijacking marks another security threat in the busy shipping corridor off Somalia's coast.
Crew of Ten From Multiple Nations Seized
The captured crew came from different countries. Six crew members were Indian, one was Turkish, and one was Georgian KARK. Two Serbian nationals served as security guards on the vessel. Pirate crews typically hold foreign crews for ransom. The total crew size was ten people WBAL.
Pirates Move Ship Inland After Seizing Control
After taking the M/V LUTUF, the pirates moved quickly. They towed the hijacked ship toward Garmaal, a location in Puntland's Dangoroyo district Newsday. This inland route typically helps pirates hide vessels from international patrols. The group behind the hijacking has connections to previous ship seizures in the region Winnipeg Free Press.
Military Response Follows Ship Seizure
An airstrike struck near the hijacked vessel soon after the pirates took control. The strike killed four men and wounded two others Seattle Pi. Military forces have not yet recovered the ship or freed the crew. The incident highlights ongoing piracy threats off Somalia's Puntland coast, despite international anti-piracy efforts WBAL.
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