Arms Shipment Seized in Somalia Draws Turkish Delegation to Bosaso, Puntland

BOSASO, Somalia — Turkish diplomats and military officials arrived Sunday in the northeastern Somali city of Bosaso, where the local authorities are holding a ship carrying weapons and military vehicles, according to local officials.

The vessel, named Sea World, was intercepted off the coast of the Bareeda district in the Ras Caseyr region of Puntland state, after departing from the port of Izmir, Turkey. It was reportedly en route to the capital, Mogadishu.

Puntland authorities said the ship was carrying unauthorized military cargo and is currently under investigation. The Turkish delegation is expected to meet with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni to discuss the ongoing dispute over the ship’s contents and ownership.

Without permission or communication, the Comoros-flagged cargo ship, the MV Sea World, was intercepted on July 18 while anchored near an area where Puntland forces have been battling Islamic State group militants for the past nine months.

According to Puntland officials, both businesspeople from Mogadishu and Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia have claimed ownership of the weapons and vehicles on board — a claim that has sparked questions over the legality of the shipment and its intended recipients.

Somalia’s federal government has said the weapons were intended for its use, but has not provided full documentation publicly. Turkey’s embassy has not issued an official statement confirming or denying ownership of the cargo.

Puntland has previously raised concerns over unregulated arms shipments entering the country amid ongoing political tensions with the federal government in Mogadishu.

The situation remains unresolved as talks continue between the Turkish delegation and Puntland officials. 

— GAROWE ONLINE