The Cameroon-flagged cargo ship MV Lutuf, which was reportedly carrying military cargo for Turkey and was seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia, has been rescued following a joint military operation by Turkish and Somali forces.
Sea-news.az reports that the official statement regarding the operation was published on the official X account of the Turkish Ministry of Industry and Technology.
On August 17, eight armed pirates raided the vessel near the coast of the Nugaal region and took control of it. The ship’s 10-member crew consisted of one Turkish national, six Indians, one Georgian, and two security personnel. According to the Somali Ministry of Defense, four pirate boats were destroyed and 14 pirates were neutralized during the joint operation. Overwhelmed by the pressure, the remaining pirates abandoned the ship. This successful rescue operation was carried out within the framework of a bilateral defense cooperation agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia.
The MV Lutuf is currently continuing its voyage safely along its designated route.
