Mystery at Sea: Weapon Ship Diverts to Djibouti After Tense Standoff
A cargo ship carrying a shipment of Turkish weapons to Somalia has taken a sudden and unexplained detour to Djibouti, sparking questions and speculation just days after it was released from a tense standoff with authorities in Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland state.
A Tense Standoff at Sea
The cargo vessel, named the "Sea World," was intercepted and held at the Port of Bosaso by the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF). Sailing under a Comoros flag, the ship was loaded with military equipment from the Turkish city of Izmir. The destination was reportedly Mogadishu, with the weapons intended for the Somali National Army (SNA).
Sources indicated the weapons were for the joint Somali-Turkish military training camp known as "TURKSOM." This facility is crucial to the training of "Gorgor" soldiers, who are at the forefront of the fight against the Al-Shabaab militant group.
Intervention and a Puzzling Detour
The situation was defused only after a high-level intervention. According to Puntland authorities, the Turkish ambassador to Somalia provided clear evidence that the military equipment was the property of the Turkish government, leading to the ship's release.
However, once freed, the "Sea World" did not proceed to its intended destination. Instead, it abruptly changed course and headed for neighboring Djibouti. The reason for this unexpected detour remains a mystery, as neither Mogadishu nor Ankara has offered an official explanation. The sudden change of plans leaves many questions unanswered about the mission and the political dynamics at play.
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