Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Turkey-Somalia Forces Free Hijacked Vessel After 10-Day Battle
Turkish and Somali forces worked together to rescue a ship called the MV LATUF.
Pirates had taken control of the ship in waters near Somalia.
The rescue operation lasted 10 days.
Somalia said 14 pirates were killed and four pirate boats were destroyed.
The remaining pirates left the ship after facing continued pressure.
The ship and its crew were then secured.
At least eight crew members were reportedly aboard, including one person from Turkey.
The ship continued its journey after being freed.
The operation happened as pirate attacks near Somalia have started increasing again.
Turkish and Somali forces freed the hijacked MV LATUF in Somali waters.
Somalia’s Defence Ministry said 14 pirates were killed during the operation.
Four boats used by the pirates were destroyed over the 10-day operation.
The remaining pirates abandoned the vessel after sustained military pressure.
The operation came amid a resurgence of piracy off Somalia, with at least 15 attacks reported this year.
- Who
- Turkey’s navy and Somalia’s armed forces fought the pirates and freed the MV LATUF.
- What
- A hijacked vessel was recovered after a 10-day military operation that killed 14 pirates and destroyed four boats.
- When
- The operation lasted 10 days; Somalia announced its completion on Saturday.
- Where
- The operation took place in Somali waters.
- Why
- The forces acted to free the MV LATUF under a Turkey-Somalia defence cooperation agreement.
- Vessel
- MV LATUF
- Operation length
- 10 days
- Pirates killed
- 14
- Pirate boats destroyed
- 4
- Crew reported aboard
- At least 8, including one Turkish national
- Vessel flag
- Cameroonian
- Reported destination
- Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Piracy attacks this year
- At least 15 off Somalia, according to International Maritime Organization figures