Freed cargo vessel leaves Somalia after joint operation

Turkish and Somali forces have successfully concluded a 10-day military operation to free a hijacked cargo vessel, killing 14 pirates and destroying four of their boats in the process. The operation, which ended on August 30, 2026, secured the MV LATUF and allowed it to resume its voyage after being held captive off the coast of Somalia. The Cameroon-flagged vessel was seized by pirates on August 17, 2026, in waters off the Nugaal region of Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northeastern Somalia.