Authorities in Puntland State of Somalia have released 26 Yemeni fishermen who had been detained since May 14, 2025, for entering Somali territorial waters without proper authorization. The release followed diplomatic engagements between Yemeni officials and Puntland authorities, highlighting the importance of dialogue in addressing maritime border issues.
The incident comes at a time when Puntland has significantly tightened its maritime security, especially along the coast of the Bari region. This follows an intensified military operation targeting ISIS militants entrenched in the region’s remote mountains. With concerns mounting over the use of Puntland’s waters to smuggle arms and supplies to extremist groups, local forces have been vigilant in monitoring and intercepting any unauthorized maritime activity.
Puntland officials emphasized that enforcing control over territorial waters is essential not only for counter-terrorism but also for safeguarding local livelihoods. The region’s fishing communities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of illegal fishing and maritime insecurity.
The peaceful resolution of this incident reflects Puntland’s growing capacity to address regional security threats while engaging diplomatically with neighboring countries. It also underscores the complexities of maritime governance in conflict-affected regions, where the line between security and humanitarian considerations can often be blurred.
This case may serve as a precedent for how coastal authorities across the Horn of Africa can combine assertive security enforcement with dialogue to manage transboundary maritime challenges responsibly.
