Following Turkey’s submission of evidence and a joint investigation into the cargo, the Puntland Government has officially handed over the vessel and its contents to Turkey.

In a statement from the Puntland Presidency, authorities said the decision to release the MV Sea World and its cargo was made “after considering the documents and explanations provided by Turkey, which confirmed the military cargo was intended for Turkey’s military base in Mogadishu.”

The Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, along with military officials from the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, arrived in Bosaso on Monday and held discussions with Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni.

Their meeting focused on resolving the situation regarding the detained vessel, which Puntland forces had seized on July 18 for remaining in its waters without authorization.

According to Puntland officials, local businessmen in Mogadishu had initially contacted them, claiming ownership of the cargo.

However, Turkey later clarified that the shipment — including armored vehicles and weapons — was part of official military supplies.

The Federal Government of Somalia, which has been at odds with Puntland, accused the regional state of piracy and alleged that the vessel was unlawfully detained in Somali waters.

Puntland dismissed the accusation as baseless and said it acted within its mandate to ensure maritime security.

Details of the Cargo

The MV Sea World was crewed by Eastern European nationals and reportedly carried 64 armored vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks. Security sources revealed that the cargo was headed to Turkey’s military training base in Mogadishu.

In addition to vehicles, the ship was carrying more than 1,400 pistols.

Some of these weapons were looted by civilians who boarded the vessel during the initial seizure, before Puntland forces secured the ship and escorted it to the port of Bosaso.

The incident has reignited international concerns over the ongoing violations of the partially lifted UN arms embargo on Somalia.

While the embargo has been eased in recent years, it still applies to certain groups, including the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Both Puntland and Somaliland have renewed calls for the full re-imposition of the arms embargo, citing the growing risk of illegal weapons falling into the hands of clan-based militias and terrorist organizations.

The MV Sea World is now expected to continue its journey to the port of Mogadishu.

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