Somalia: Somalia Says It Is Aware of Military Operations Off Puntland Coast

What the report says

Somalia’s federal government said it is aware of military activity and shelling off Puntland’s coast, as officials respond to renewed concerns about piracy in waters off northern Somalia. The comments came from State Minister for Defence Omar Ali Abdi in Mogadishu, according to Shabelle via AllAfrica, who said the government would compile a full report and review the situation.

Abdi did not identify the forces involved, but said any military action against pirate groups in Somali waters falls under the federal government’s legal authority. His remarks followed a request from Puntland authorities for answers about reported shelling on Aug. 18 and Aug. 20 that they said was carried out by unidentified international warships. Puntland said the strikes may have damaged civilian property and affected fishermen.

The Puntland Ministry of Security and Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration also raised concerns about operations near Garmaal, an area linked to places where hijacked vessels are allegedly being held. It warned that anti-piracy operations could put civilians at risk and complicate cooperation with international partners. The report comes amid a broader resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and the western Indian Ocean, with several commercial ships reportedly seized in recent months.

The article also noted earlier claims that four suspected pirates were buried in Garmaal after a strike that local sources associated with Turkey, though Turkish authorities have not confirmed involvement. More broadly, the dispute underscores the tension between maritime security operations, regional authority, and the need to avoid civilian harm.