The Somali armed Islamist group, al-Shabab, has reportedly seized a United Nations helicopter along with approximately eight individuals, including passengers and crew, in central Somalia .
The UN’s mission in Somalia (Unsom) has confirmed an “aviation incident” involving a UN-contracted helicopter engaged in a medical evacuation . According to a UN memo on the incident obtained by AFP news agency, the helicopter crash-landed about 70 km southeast of Dhusamareb, with no UN staff on board; the personnel were identified as third-party contractors . The report did not specify the nationalities or exact number of individuals involved . Al-Shabab, affiliated with al-Qaeda, controls significant portions of southern and central Somalia and has been engaged in a ruthless insurgency for nearly two decades .
The BBC has confirmed that the Somali armed Islamist group, al-Shabab, has taken control of a United Nations helicopter, along with approximately eight individuals comprising passengers and crew, in central Somalia. Major Hassan Ali, a Somali military official, reported that the helicopter transported several foreigners and two locals, along with medical supplies intended for evacuating injured soldiers from the Galgudud region. The helicopter was on its way to Wisil town, near the frontlines of a government offensive against al-Shabab when the incident occurred. The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) clarified on social media that the seized aircraft was not associated with WFP or UN Humanitarian Air Service, and no WFP personnel were on board. As a precaution, WFP has temporarily halted flights in the area. Over the past few months, the Somali government has intensified its efforts to counter the al-Qaeda-linked group.
