Monday July 21, 2025
Bosaso (HOL) — Security forces in Somalia’s northern
Puntland region have intercepted a cargo vessel allegedly carrying Turkish
military equipment to the capital, Mogadishu, raising new questions about
Somalia’s maritime governance and arms control.
The Sea World, a Comoros-flagged cargo ship, was stopped in
the Gulf of Aden by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) while en route to
the Port of Mogadishu. The vessel was found to be carrying a consignment of
weapons and armored vehicles reportedly destined for a Turkish-run military
training facility in the capital.
Puntland officials said the ship had been anchored illegally
for two days off the coast of Bareda, a remote area in northeastern Somalia
where local forces have recently clashed with Islamic State militants.
Authorities said the ship’s presence near an active conflict zone raised red
flags about its intentions and the final destination of its cargo.
Video footage released by Puntland authorities shows PMPF
officers boarding the vessel and inspecting what appeared to be military-grade
equipment, including armored personnel carriers (APCs), mine-resistant ambush
protected vehicles (MRAPs), and anti-aircraft guns—all bearing Turkish military
markings.
In a statement issued Sunday, Puntland’s Ministry of
Information confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the
ownership of the ship, the origin of the cargo, and whether any international
or domestic laws were violated.
“The Puntland government has the legal right to inspect and
take action against vessels in its waters, in accordance with Articles 25(1)
and 27(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” the
statement said. “This vessel’s unauthorized presence and the nature of its
cargo are violations of both international maritime law and Somalia’s national
security protocols.”
No government has claimed ownership of the weapons, and
Turkish officials have yet to issue a public response to the allegations.
Authorities also said there are reports that some weapons
may have been looted by civilians before PMPF forces arrived at the scene. The
police have been ordered to investigate those reports.
The Sea World is now docked at the Port of Bosaso as
Puntland officials continue their inquiry. The incident has reignited
long-standing tensions between the federal government and Puntland over who has
jurisdiction over Somali waters.
The Somali federal government maintains that it has
exclusive authority to police the country's territorial waters, while Puntland
argues it has the right to secure its coastline, particularly in areas affected
by terrorism and piracy.