Bareeda, Puntland – July 19, 2025
Authorities in Puntland have seized a suspicious cargo vessel carrying a massive load of military equipment, sparking fears of covert international meddling and intensifying Somalia’s internal political strife.
The vessel—SEA WORLD (IMO: 9324411), sailing under the Comoros flag—ran aground near the coastal town of Bareeda, in the strategic Gardafuu region bordering the Gulf of Aden. After over 24 hours stuck, the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) boarded the ship and discovered what officials called an “extraordinary and unreported cache of weaponry.”
Among the seized items were armored vehicles, anti-aircraft systems, and advanced weaponry possibly embedded with AI-based targeting technology. Photographs released by PMPF show several vehicles emblazoned with Turkish military insignia, adding further intrigue to the discovery. Experts estimate the value of the shipment to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
🇹🇷 Turkey Tied to Secret Arms Route
Puntland security sources say tracking data shows SEA WORLD departed from Izmir, Turkey, on June 28, 2025, taking an unusual route through Tunisia, Slovenia, Egypt, and the Suez Canal—raising suspicion that the voyage was deliberately designed to conceal its destination.
The cargo lacked any customs declarations or diplomatic cover, alarming Puntland officials. “This is not the conduct of an ally,” a senior PMPF source told HornCurrent. “It’s covert, calculated, and dangerous.”
As of publication, neither the Turkish government nor Somalia’s federal authorities in Mogadishu have responded to inquiries or released statements.
💣 Shifting Alliances and Escalating Federal Tensions
Regional intelligence and defense experts suggest the weapons were likely meant for forces loyal to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, signaling potential preparations for a power consolidation in Mogadishu. Concerns are mounting that foreign defense partnerships—with Turkey and Qatar—are being used to gain leverage over semi-autonomous regions like Puntland and Jubaland.
A Horn of Africa political analyst based in Nairobi said, “Somalia is increasingly caught in a proxy tug-of-war. While Villa Somalia partners with Turkey and Qatar, Puntland is aligned with the UAE, United States, UK, and European allies. This arms seizure could mark a dangerous turning point in federal relations.”
⚖️ Collapse of Federal Unity and Legal Order
Tensions between Garowe and Mogadishu have remained high since Puntland’s 2022 decision to suspend ties with the federal government over what it described as constitutional violations and overreach. Puntland leaders argue that this shipment was not for counterterrorism, but part of a broader effort to militarize political disputes.
“This is no longer about Al-Shabaab,” said Dr. Mahad Faarax, a constitutional law expert in Garowe. “It’s a direct assault on Somalia’s fragile federal system.”
The controversy unfolds just months after the UN Security Council lifted Somalia’s arms embargo under Resolution 2714, a move Puntland opposed, warning it would be exploited for internal power grabs rather than genuine national defense.
Flashpoints in Sanaag and Jubaland Resurface
The interception comes amid renewed clashes in eastern Sanaag, where Puntland has accused Mogadishu of using clan-based militias to sow unrest. These developments echo past incidents, including alleged federal military operations in Raaskanbooni, Jubaland, in 2024.
As federal-state trust deteriorates further, Puntland officials say the arms seizure should be seen as a wake-up call for Somalia’s partners and allies.
“This is not just about weapons—it’s about who controls Somalia’s future,” one security analyst concluded.
