Authorities in Puntland have agreed to release a Comoros-flagged vessel carrying weapons after a diplomatic visit by Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş.
The ship, which had been held at a Puntland port on suspicion of unauthorized arms transport, will now be cleared following a meeting between Puntland officials and the ambassador.
The Puntland leadership acknowledged that the ship was wrongly held and confirmed that it was not carrying illegal or unauthorized weapons. “We regret the misunderstanding and apologize for the delay caused,” the statement said. “There was no violation of Somali or international law.”
In a statement released Sunday, Puntland authorities said the Turkish envoy presented documentation confirming that the entire cargo belonged to the government of Turkey. The statement described the ambassador’s evidence as “satisfactory and consistent with diplomatic and security protocols.”
The ship’s seizure had sparked speculation about the destination and legality of the cargo, raising questions about foreign arms movements through Somali waters. Puntland did not disclose the intended destination of the weapons, nor did it specify the type or quantity of arms onboard.
Ambassador Aktaş reportedly assured Puntland leaders that the shipment was part of a state-sanctioned operation and had no links to unauthorized actors or local factions. No Turkish officials have commented publicly on the matter.
Turkey is one of Somalia’s most active foreign partners, with a long-standing military, political, and economic presence in the country. Ankara operates a large military base in Mogadishu and provides training to Somali security forces.
The Puntland government thanked the Turkish embassy for its cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to regional security and international maritime law.
No charges were filed, and the ship is expected to depart shortly.
