A Ugandan military helicopter tragically crashed and caught fire at the Aden Adde International Airport in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, claiming the lives of five individuals aboard. The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer managed to escape but are currently in critical condition with serious injuries and severe burns, as reported by Ugandan military spokesperson Maj Gen Felix Kulaigye. The cause of the crash remains uncertain, prompting an investigation.
Eyewitness Farah Abdulle, an airport staff member, recounted the chaotic scene, noting, "We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter." Fortunately, the airport's emergency services quickly extinguished the fire, limiting further damage.
Ugandan troops are part of a larger African Union (AU) force comprising 11,000 personnel assisting the Somali government in their ongoing battle against the al-Qaeda-affiliated al-Shabab group, which has been entrenched in a relentless insurgency for over two decades. The helicopter involved was reportedly conducting a "routine combat escort mission," according to Maj Gen Kulaigye, though specific details about the operation remain undisclosed.
The head of Somalia's Civil Aviation Authority, Ahmed Maalim, indicated that the helicopter went down in the military section of the airport after departing from Balidogle airbase located around 90 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. The crash caused a delay for a Turkish Airlines passenger flight but did not disrupt domestic flights, which continued to operate normally despite the tragic incident.
As investigations proceed, this event reawakens concerns regarding the safety and operational protocols of military engagements in conflict zones, underscoring the continued volatility faced within Somalia.
