Somalia Calls for International Cooperation to Combat Piracy | Dawan Africa

MOGADISHU, Sept. 6, 2026 (Dawan) — Somalia has called for stronger international cooperation to combat a resurgence of piracy following a rise in attacks and hijackings targeting vessels off its coast and in the Gulf of Aden.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement on Sunday that the federal government strongly condemned the renewed piracy threat, particularly off the coast of Puntland.

The ministry said attacks and hijackings targeting commercial vessels have been recorded since April, with pirate groups expanding their operations into parts of the Gulf of Aden.

Somali security forces are conducting operations against piracy networks at sea and on land, the ministry said, adding that efforts to dismantle the groups would continue.

Among the latest operations was the rescue of the cargo vessel MV LUTUF, which was freed on Aug. 29 after being hijacked near the Puntland coast on Aug. 17.

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defence said it supported Somali authorities during the operation to free the vessel, describing the assistance as part of security and defence cooperation between the two countries.