A helicopter operated by the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) crashed while landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport on Wednesday, carrying eight personnel, according to Somali authorities.
The helicopter had departed from Balidoogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region before the crash. A fire broke out but was swiftly controlled by emergency responders. Despite the incident, flight operations at the airport continue as normal, the Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported on its official X account.
Eyewitnesses described thick smoke and flames rising from the crash site. An airport worker said, “We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter.” The Somali Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the crash happened in the military section of the airport and that an investigation is underway to find the cause.
The helicopter was operated by Ugandan troops, part of the AU peacekeeping force supporting Somalia’s fight against the militant group al-Shabab. Casualty details have not yet been confirmed, but officials acknowledge there were injuries.
The African Union mission has not yet released an official statement.
This incident shows the ongoing challenges faced by peacekeepers in Somalia and the risks involved in their operations.
