In a critical incident, a Ugandan military helicopter went down at Somalia's Aden Adde International Airport, according to aviation officials. The state news agency indicated that a fire erupted post-crash, yet emergency services were able to manage the situation swiftly. Eyewitness accounts, including one from airport staff member Farah Abdulle, described hearing a loud blast followed by a thick cloud of smoke and flames emanating from the helicopter.
While early reports lack clarity regarding casualties and the precise cause of the crash, Ahmed Maalim, the head of the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed that the chopper was returning from Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, targeting military operations against the insurgent group al-Shabab. Maalim assured that an investigation is in progress to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the helicopter's downfall.
The crash draws attention to the ongoing presence of Ugandan troops as part of the African Union forces supporting Somalia's fight against the extremist group, which continues to threaten national stability through violence and terror.
