In a bold and highly provocative act, armed operatives affiliated with Puntland’s PMPF (Puntland Maritime Police Force), a UAE-funded paramilitary unit, have seized a Turkish vessel en route to Mogadishu carrying armored vehicles destined for the Federal Government of Somalia. This incident has ignited a diplomatic firestorm and raised serious concerns about regional rivalries playing out through proxy forces on Somali soil.
The vessel, reportedly carrying Turkish-manufactured military equipment intended to bolster Somalia’s national army, was intercepted off the coast of Bosaso. Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that the hijacking was orchestrated with the knowledge and support of Puntland authorities, specifically implicating elements within the Deni administration.
According to multiple security and diplomatic sources, the Turkish government had cleared the shipment in coordination with Somalia’s Ministry of Defense and the Turkish military mission in Mogadishu. The cargo included a dozen armored personnel carriers, military-grade communications gear, and spare parts intended for the Turkish-trained Gorgor special forces, a core unit in the Somali National Army.
The incident has been labeled as “an act of piracy with political motives” by Somali government officials, while Ankara is treating it as a direct assault on its interests and sovereignty in Somalia. Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, İbrahim Mete Yağlı, reportedly issued a strong diplomatic note to Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, warning him that “Turkey will hold him personally responsible” if the vessel and its cargo are not released immediately and allowed to reach Mogadishu safely.
“This was a Turkish-flagged vessel under international protection, delivering defense equipment to a legitimate government under a valid bilateral agreement,” a senior Turkish diplomat in Mogadishu told local press under condition of anonymity. “Any obstruction to that mission is not just piracy—it is a hostile act against Turkey.”
The hijacking has not only triggered outrage in Ankara but has also exposed deeper tensions between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), both of which are heavily involved in the Horn of Africa, though backing different Somali factions. Turkey has been a staunch supporter of Somalia’s federal government, providing military training, aid, and infrastructure. In contrast, the UAE has deepened its ties with regional states such as Puntland and Somaliland, often bypassing Mogadishu.
Reports from intelligence sources in Mogadishu suggest that the PMPF, although nominally under Puntland’s control, has increasingly operated as an extension of UAE interests in the region. These sources claim the group has recently been implicated in covert operations smuggling weapons and equipment to Sudan’s warring factions, using UAE logistical support and financing.
“PMPF is not just a local coast guard—it’s a paramilitary unit with regional ambitions, and it acts on orders from Abu Dhabi more than Garowe,” said a Somali intelligence officer.
The timing of this hijacking raises suspicions that the UAE-backed PMPF may have sought to sabotage Turkey’s growing influence in Somalia, particularly its close defense ties with the federal government in Mogadishu. The seizure of the Turkish shipment is being viewed in Ankara as a deliberate act aimed at embarrassing Turkey and undermining its strategic partnership with Somalia.
“This is not an isolated event—it is part of a broader geopolitical rivalry playing out in Somali waters,” said Dr. Abdirahman M. Warsame, a regional analyst based in Djibouti. “Turkey and the UAE are clashing by proxy, and unfortunately Somalia is the battlefield.”
The Somali federal government has strongly condemned the hijacking and is demanding the immediate release of the vessel. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, in an emergency statement, called the seizure “an illegal and destabilizing act” and emphasized that the Turkish military partnership is “vital for Somalia’s security and sovereignty.”
Meanwhile, the UN and the African Union are closely monitoring the situation. UN officials fear that this hijacking could further complicate fragile negotiations between Mogadishu and Puntland over constitutional and federal arrangements.
As the standoff continues, Turkish naval forces in the Red Sea have reportedly been put on alert. Though no official military action has been announced, Turkish defense officials have said all options remain on the table if the situation is not resolved peacefully.
Diplomatic efforts are underway behind closed doors, but tensions are high. If the vessel is not released, this hijacking could mark the beginning of a dangerous escalation between Turkey and the UAE, two powerful nations competing for influence in a fragile and war-torn region.
For now, the world watches anxiously as a high-stakes game of maritime brinkmanship unfolds along Somalia’s northern coast.
