Puntland Demands Answers Over Coastal Airstrikes, Raising Questions About Turkey’s Role in Somalia

Garowe (WDN) — Puntland has for the first time formally addressed a series of airstrikes along the Nugaal coast , demanding that the governments responsible explain why the attacks were carried out and who authorized them.

The Puntland administration condemned the resurgence of piracy along Somalia’s coastline but said it was investigating information suggesting that newly emerging pirate networks may be receiving support from “forces outside Puntland.”

Puntland also said airstrikes conducted on August 18 and 20 near Garmaal caused damage to fishermen and their property. The administration warned that attacks carried out without coordination with local authorities could undermine security cooperation between Puntland and its international partners.

The unusually strong statement comes amid growing questions over the role of foreign governments in Somalia’s internal security operations—and particularly over Turkey’s expanding military and political footprint in the country.