Al-Shabaab burns down UN helicopter in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Al-Shabaab militants burnt down a UN helicopter that they had seized in central Somalia, multiple sources confirmed, just as the federal government of Somalia activated a rescue mission, with the group abducting over six people who were on board.

At least nine people were in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) aircraft at the time of the incident at Xiindhere town in Galmadug. Two managed to escape but the others were kidnapped by the militants, with reports indicating one has since been killed.

The UNSOS helicopter flew from Beledweyne and headed to Wisil in the Galgadud region with several foreigners and two locals who were taken hostage, according to Farah Diriye, Adado DC under Galmudug state who spoke to VOA Somali.

Officials say they believed al-Shabab militants captured most of the nine occupants. Their nationalities were not known, but they were attached to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

“It was a helicopter, it was carrying workers, and it was one of those helicopters that helped Somalia evacuate the wounded,” Farah Diriye Warsame, district commissioner of Adado town in Galmudug, told VOA Somali.

“I heard the helicopter had problems, and the pilot decided to land it rather than risk it blowing up in midair and has landed it safely,” Warsame said.

While other sources say the helicopter was carrying weapons for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops and the Somali National Army (SNA), UNSOM said the aircraft was meant for medical evacuation in central Somalia where active operations against the militants are ongoing.

"The UN can confirm that there has been an aviation incident involving a UN-contracted helicopter in Galmudug, Somalia. The helicopter was conducting an air medical evacuation," read the statement. "The UN is in the process of gathering all relevant information. Response efforts are underway. More information will be shared when it becomes available."

Al-Shabaab militants have been on the receiving end for the last 15 months in central regions after SNA with assistance from ATMIS and the US Africa Command launched operations against them. The group has lost several strategic towns in the process.

After burning down the helicopter, sources say, the militants moved with the rest of the captives to an unknown destination. The UN and the federal government of Somalia have launched a manhunt for the abducted individuals, officials said.

GAROWE ONLINE