GAROWE (SD) – Last night, the Puntland administration issued a statement vehemently denying allegations made by the Federal Government of Somalia, which accused Puntland of being a “pirate stronghold” involved in hijacking a commercial vessel.

In the statement, Puntland authorities confirmed that its Coast Guard forces had seized a vessel named MV SEA WORLD after it was found loitering off the coast of the Bari region’s Bareda district.

The administration clarified that local fishermen initially attempted to board the ship but were later intercepted by Puntland’s Coast Guard, which secured the vessel and prevented its cargo from falling into the hands of civilians.

Additionally, Puntland revealed that a businessman from Mogadishu and the Turkish Ambassador had been contacted regarding the disputed cargo of the ship.

The Puntland government asserted that MV SEA WORLD was carrying military equipment—not commercial goods—directly contradicting the Federal Government’s claims. This, Puntland argued, exposes the falsehood of Somalia’s official narrative.