Monday August 31, 2026
Garowe (HOL) — Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni has accused foreign countries of using the fight against piracy as a pretext to deploy forces along Puntland’s coast and exploit its maritime resources.
Speaking Sunday, Deni said Puntland would not accept anti-piracy operations being used to legitimize the presence of foreign forces in Somali waters.
The Puntland president also said his administration would not accept the killing of civilians during anti-piracy operations.
He said Puntland has the capacity to deal with piracy without foreign military intervention.
The regional leader referred to previous international anti-piracy operations off Somalia’s coast, saying marine resources had declined during periods when foreign forces were operating in Somali waters.
He called on the people of Puntland and the international community to support efforts to control piracy, but warned against using the issue as an excuse to interfere in Puntland or exploit its natural resources.
Deni’s remarks come days after Somalia’s federal government said, in cooperation with Türkiye, that the MV LUTUF had been freed from pirates off the coast of Puntland through a military operation.
Puntland has disputed that account, claiming ransom was paid to the pirates to secure the vessel’s release.
The MV LUTUF was hijacked off Puntland’s coast earlier this month, renewing concerns over piracy and maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
