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A group of high-level Turkish diplomats and military officials arrived in Bosaso this week to hold talks with Puntland leaders after the regional state’s maritime police seized a cargo vessel loaded with Turkish-made military equipment. The incident has deepened the growing rift between Somalia’s federal government and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland.
The ship, named Sea World and flying a Comoros flag, was intercepted on July 18 by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) off the coast of Bareda in Gardafuu region. According to Puntland authorities, the ship had departed from the Turkish port city of Izmir and was heading to Mogadishu. On board were armored vehicles, mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, and anti-aircraft guns — many marked as Turkish military equipment.
Puntland said the vessel had been loitering in its territorial waters for two days, close to areas where its forces were conducting anti-ISIS operations. In a statement, Puntland’s Ministry of Information claimed the interception was a matter of national security and justified under international maritime law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The Puntland government has the right to inspect vessels in its waters,” the ministry stated. “The ship’s presence and cargo violated both international law and Somalia’s national security rules.”
However, Somalia’s federal government in Mogadishu strongly disagreed, calling Puntland’s move an unlawful seizure. In a July 23 statement, it said the ship was delivering military supplies under a legal defense agreement between Somalia and Turkey. It also claimed the vessel was carrying commercial goods for Somali traders, though Puntland denies this.
“The hijacking of this ship is a serious violation of Somalia’s Provisional Constitution,” the federal government said. “It threatens the country’s unity and sovereignty.” Officials pointed to Article 54 of the constitution, which gives the federal government sole authority over defense and maritime security.
Puntland responded on July 24, saying the entire cargo was military hardware and no commercial goods were found. They also reported that local fishermen had boarded the ship before the authorities arrived, raising concerns that some weapons may have gone missing.
“Puntland will continue investigating who owns the cargo to ensure these weapons don’t end up in the wrong hands,” a spokesperson said. Photos have circulated online showing civilians holding firearms allegedly taken from the ship.
Turkey, which has trained Somali soldiers for years at its military base (TÜRKSOM) in Mogadishu, has not officially commented. However, former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke said the Turkish ambassador told him the shipment was intended for the Somali National Army (SNA) and urged Puntland to release the vessel immediately.
“If this issue isn’t resolved soon, it could hurt Somalia’s relationship with Turkey,” Sharmarke warned.
This seizure comes just over a year after the United Nations lifted its decades-long arms embargo on Somalia in December 2023. While the federal government welcomed the move, regions like Puntland and Somaliland raised concerns about the government’s ability to control weapons imports. Somaliland’s Foreign Minister recently said the ship incident shows that the UN’s decision has led to more security risks and illegal arms in the region.
Tensions between Puntland and Mogadishu have been rising since May 2024, when Puntland said it would stop cooperating with federal security forces unless better coordination was established. The Sea World incident has now become the most public example of the power struggle between the two governments.
As of now, the ship remains held at Bosaso Port while investigations continue.