Information released by Iraqi media strongly denies Puntland's claims

Baghdad (Caasimada Online) – Approximately 40 men from a tribe in southern Iraq are reported to have participated in an armed operation to rescue an oil tanker that Somali pirates had hijacked, an event widely discussed in Iraqi media and social networks.

The men are from the Al-Shaghanba tribe in the Basra region, and a tribal leader stated that they moved to retrieve the ship from the pirates, which belonged to a man from the same tribe.

Sheikh Ali al-Shaghanbi told the Iraqi news agency Shafaq News that the ship was seized in the Gulf of Aden, while the pirates held the crew hostage and demanded a ransom.

According to Sheikh Ali, nearly 40 men from the Abu al-Khasib district and the Jikour village in the Basra region organized the operation, coordinating with parties outside Iraq.

The operation ultimately succeeded in rescuing the ship and its crew, and seven men were arrested on charges of piracy, while others escaped, according to the tribal leader.

Videos circulated on social media show armed men said to be members of the Iraqi tribe, involved in a confrontation at sea. Iraqi media reported that the battle to rescue the ship lasted several hours, although all details of the released footage have not been independently verified.

Iraqi media also reported that the operation took place after the ship had been in the hands of pirates for nearly a month.

Puntland's Claims

This incident coincides with other reports claiming that Puntland forces played a significant role in the ship's rescue.

The ship, named Sibu 1, was hijacked in August, and the operation to rescue it was said to have involved Puntland officials.

According to that report, Puntland began tracking this ship and three others held by pirates near the Bandar Beyla district at the beginning of the week.

Security sources stated that Sibu 1 was later found south of Garacad, where a Puntland naval vessel had set up a blockade, catching the pirates by surprise.

On the other hand, a statement attributed to the Al-Shaghanba tribe indicated that the operation occurred after "communication, coordination, and approval" were received from the Somali government. Other reports specifically mention the Puntland administration, and it is unclear how each party contributed to the operation.

Three other ships — Honor 25, MT Eureka, and MT Asana — are reported to still be in the hands of pirate groups, which have moved towards the shores of Hobyo in the Mudug region.

This incident comes at a time when piracy activities along the Somali coast are once again on the rise, after years of significantly reduced attacks of this nature.