(11-01-24) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) — The Somali government is urgently working to rescue the crew of a United Nations helicopter captured by al-Shabab fighters, as stated by Information Minister Daud Aweis. The helicopter, facing a technical issue, made an emergency landing near Gadoon village in the Galgaduud region, an internal UN memo revealed by Al Jazeera shows.
Departing from Beledweyne, the helicopter was carrying nine individuals, including military personnel and a third-party contractor. Al-Shabab militants reportedly seized at least six of these passengers.
Efforts to retrieve the captives face significant obstacles. Colonel Abdullahi Isse, stationed near Adado, communicated to Reuters that there are no current plans for a rescue mission. He emphasized the control al-Shabab has held over the area for over a decade, noting the local support for the militant group.
The United Nations has confirmed the situation, noting that “response efforts” are underway. The UN World Food Programme (WFP), a major humanitarian actor in Somalia, has stated that the helicopter was not part of its fleet or the UN Humanitarian Air Service. In response to the incident, the WFP has suspended all its flights in the area as a precaution.
Halqabsi News
