AU MILITARY HELICOPTER CRASHES IN SOMALIA

A Ugandan military helicopter carrying eight people has crashed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia. The helicopter was from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). A fire broke out during the crash but emergency services quickly brought it under control. The incident occurred during landing and witnesses reported a loud blast followed by thick smoke rising from the aircraft. Details about the cause of the crash any casualties remain unclear.

 Ahmed Maalim, head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority said that the helicopter went down in the airport’s military zone after arriving from Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region. He added that an investigation is currently underway to determine the cause. AUSSOM has more than 11,000 personnel in Somalia to help the country’s military counter Islamist group al Shabab. The al Qaeda affiliate has been fighting for nearly two decades to topple Somalia’s internationally-recognized government and establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of sharia law. Al Shabab frequently targets Somali and AU troops, especially in southern and central Somalia.