Ugandan Military Helicopter Crash at Somalia Airport Sparks Investigation
A Ugandan military helicopter crash has been reported at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia, with eight people onboard. The aircraft, which originated from the Balidogle Airbase in the Lower Shabelle region, went down in the airport’s military zone.
According to Ahmed Maalim, head of Somalia’s Civil Aviation Authority, the chopper caught fire after impact, but the blaze was swiftly brought under control by emergency responders. Witnesses, including airport worker Farah Abdulle, described hearing an explosion followed by thick smoke that engulfed the site.
At the time of publication, the cause of the crash and the status of the crew remain unknown, although authorities have confirmed that an official inquiry is underway to determine what went wrong.
The helicopter was part of Uganda’s contribution to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which supports Somali forces in their fight against the al-Shabaab insurgency. Uganda has long maintained a significant troop presence in the region under the AU peacekeeping framework.
This latest incident raises concerns over operational safety amid increased militant activity and ongoing military operations across southern Somalia. While aviation incidents in the conflict zone are rare, they highlight the risks African Union forces face while supporting stabilization efforts.
For more background on Uganda’s role in Somalia, see our related article:
