Puntland Refuses Somalia and Turkey’s Demands to Release Weaponry on Ship 

The standoff continues between the government of the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and the federal government of Somalia over a cargo ship loaded with Turkish weaponry that is being detained. The government of Puntland insists it is investigating the true ownership of the military hardware on the vessel, rejecting the calls by both the federal government of Somalia and Turkey to release the vessel and its cargo.

The federal government in Mogadishu issued its first public statement on the incident on Wednesday, July 23, five days after the vessel was seized, saying it “categorically denounces the hijacking and aggression against the Sea World vessel.” It said it was demanding the “immediate and unconditional release of the vessel,” while calling the actions of Puntland an “unlawful operation.”

Puntland contends the Sea World (13,000 dwt registered in Comoros) was “loitering for two days” off the coast, raising suspicions. Built in 1977, the vessel has a shadowy past, and Equasis lists both its owners and managers as unknown. Puntland reports it “apprehended” the vessel on July 18, acting on intelligence and fears after a group of young fishermen had already boarded the vessel. Puntland says it took control of the vessel, and after being contacted by Somali traders who claimed ownership of the cargo, it moved the ship to port for an investigation.