MOGADISHU: The Somali state of Puntland on Monday said it was “handing over responsibility” to Turkiye for a cargo ship carrying military equipment that it seized last month, provoking the federal government.
The oil-rich area declared its autonomy in 1998, and the region has had tense relations with the central government in Mogadishu.
Puntland forces intercepted the Comoros-flagged vessel, saying it had been observed “loitering” near the coast and could pose a security risk.
Mogadishu protested the move, calling it “an act of piracy,” and said the ship was carrying equipment for a Turkish military base in the country as well as goods for Somali traders.
In a statement on Monday Puntland government said a Turkish delegation led by its ambassador to Somalia held a meeting in the region and provided “proof that all the property belongs to the Turkish government.”
“Puntland government decided to hand over the responsibility of the vessel and the shipment it is carrying to the Turkish government,” it said in the statement.
The semi-autonomous region said it had wanted to “ensure that the military equipment does not fall into hands that might threaten Somalia’s security and stability.”
Puntland launched an offensive in December against Islamic State forces present in the region.
Somalia’s Puntland releases arms cargo ship to Turkiye
https://arab.news/yvsb6
Somalia’s Puntland releases arms cargo ship to Turkiye
- Puntland forces intercepted the Comoros-flagged vessel, saying it had been observed ‘loitering’ near the coast and could pose a security risk
- Mogadishu protested the move, calling it ‘an act of piracy,’ and said the ship was carrying equipment for a Turkish military base in the country as well as goods for Somali traders
North Korea and China to resume passenger train service after six-year gap
- China’s railway authority said in a notice that Beijing-Pyongyang trains will operate four times a week
- The resumption from March 12 will “further promote China-North Korea travel, trade and economic cooperation”
SEOUL/BEIJING: Tickets for the first passenger train in six years from Beijing to North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, were sold out ahead of its March 12 departure, an official ticketing office in Beijing said on Tuesday.
The resumption of the rail service, suspended since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, revives a critical transport link between the largely isolated North Korea and its primary economic ally.
Tickets for the journey — restricted to travelers holding business visas — were purchased by entrepreneurs, government officials and reporters, according to the Beijing ticketing office. Tickets were still available for the next service, scheduled for March 18.
NORTH KOREA STILL LARGELY CLOSED TO TOURISTS
China’s railway authority said in a notice that Beijing-Pyongyang trains will operate four times a week in both directions on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday while Dandong-Pyongyang trains will run daily.
The resumption from March 12 will “further promote China-North Korea travel, trade and economic cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual well-being and friendship,” the notice said.
North Korea remains closed to most foreign tourism, with limited exceptions largely for Russian tour groups under restricted arrangements, according to travel agencies organizing trips to the country.
Before the pandemic, Chinese visitors made up the largest share of foreign tourists to North Korea, the agencies said. Tour organizers said on Monday that North Korea had canceled next month’s Pyongyang Marathon for unspecified reasons. The race is one of the few events that has been open to international participants in the isolated state.
