Civilians Loot Weapons from Turkish Ship Seized by Breakaway Somali State, Puntland

Some weapons on-board a Turkish vessel seized by marine forces from Somali breakaway state, Puntland have reportedly been offloaded and fallen into civilian hands.

Videos circulating on social media show civilians handling machine guns, rifles, and pistols believed to be offloaded from the vessel, which was carrying a consignment of weapons and military vehicles to the federal government in Mogadishu.

Local sources report that while some military equipment was looted, a significant portion, including military trucks, armored vehicles, and heavy weaponry, remains onboard.

Puntland authorities have yet to issue an official statement addressing how the weapons ended up in civilian possession.

According to Puntland officials, the ship was found transporting modern armored personnel carriers (APCs), anti-aircraft guns, and other weapons, Somali Guardian reported.

The interception of the vessel occurred off the coast of Bari province last week, which led to another escalation in relations between the Puntland regional administration and the central government of Somalia.

The ship is now under the control of the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF), which confirmed that the weapons on board were intended for the central government of Somalia, but were delivered without warning or approval from the region.

Images circulating on social media, shared by accounts linked to Puntland’s regional administration, show armored vehicles bearing Turkish flag markings onboard the vessel.

The exact location where the ship is being held has not yet been disclosed. The intercepted vehicles appear to be among Turkey’s latest defense exports, capable of being equipped with anti-aircraft systems and various offensive weaponry.

The Somali federal government has not yet commented on the reported interception. The development comes amid a deepening political and security rift between Mogadishu and Puntland. Earlier this week, Puntland accused the federal government of mobilizing clan militias that clashed with its forces in the eastern Sanaag region.

The incident raises fresh concerns over the militarization of internal Somali disputes and the role of foreign actors in the country’s fragile federal structure.

Turkey has been a key military and development partner of the Somali federal government, providing training, equipment, and logistical support in recent years.