A helicopter operated by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) crashed on Wednesday while attempting to land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The aircraft, which had eight personnel on board, caught fire shortly after departing from Balidoogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region. According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the fire was quickly contained, and an assessment of the situation is ongoing.
Eyewitness Accounts
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and alarm at the airport:
“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, an airport worker.
A resident of the Waberi district, near the airport, also reported seeing heavy black smoke, describing the sight as unusually intense and frightening.
Investigation Underway
The Somali Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the crash occurred in the military section of the airport. The Authority’s Director, Ahmed Maalim, stated that the helicopter had originated from Balidoogle Airfield and that a formal investigation is underway to determine the cause.
Operated by Ugandan Troops
The helicopter was believed to be operated by Ugandan forces, part of the African Union peacekeeping mission supporting the Somali government in its fight against the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabab. As of press time, the African Union mission had not released an official statement regarding the incident or the status of the crew.
