Breaking: AU Helicopter Crashes in Mogadishu, Casualties Reported

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, Somalia’s capital.

The helicopter, which was carrying eight personnel, caught fire after departing from Balidoogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region.

According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the fire was quickly contained, and authorities are currently assessing the situation.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with thick smoke and flames rising from the crash site.

“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, an airport worker who witnessed the incident.

A resident of the Waberi district also reported seeing heavy smoke coming from the airport, describing it as unusually thick and alarming.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that the crash occurred in the military section of the airport.

Ahmed Maalim, the Director of the authority, said that the helicopter had arrived from Balidoogle Airfield and that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the incident.

The aircraft was believed to have been operated by Ugandan troops, who serve as part of the African Union peacekeeping force in Somalia.

The African Union mission has been supporting the Somali government in its battle against the al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabab.

As of the time of this report, the African Union mission had not released an official statement regarding the incident.