Military Helicopter Crashes Near Mogadishu Airport in Somalia
A military helicopter crashed while attempting to land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. The helicopter, reportedly belonging to the African Union peacekeeping mission, was carrying eight people at the time of the incident.
Reported by Kokcha News Agency:
A military helicopter crashed near Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. According to Somali state media, the helicopter was part of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which supports stability and security in the country.
An aviation official told the BBC that the helicopter belonged to the Ugandan military and was carrying eight people at the time of the crash.
Details of the Crash
Somali National News Agency (SONNA) confirmed on its X account that the helicopter was on a mission for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) when it crashed during landing. A fire broke out after the crash, but it was reportedly brought under control.
Casualties and Investigation
It remains unclear whether there were any fatalities or injuries. Farah Abdulle, an airport worker, told Reuters, “We heard the explosion and saw smoke and flames coming from the helicopter. Smoke covered the entire area.”
Ahmed Maalim, the head of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, told the BBC that the helicopter was attempting to land at the military section of the airport after taking off from Baledogle Air Base in the Lower Shabelle region. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the crash.
AMISOM’s Role in Somalia
AMISOM, which has over 11,000 personnel in Somalia, has been assisting the country in its fight against the militant group Al-Shabaab.
