Sri Lanka refutes claims of air force personnel captured by militants in Somalia

Image

COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's Defense Ministry on Saturday denied reports that several Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) personnel were captured by militants in Somalia.

In a statement, the ministry said a helicopter of SLAF, carrying out UN peacekeeping duties in the Central African Republic, crash-landed on Friday due to a rotor brownout resulting from extreme dusty and sand conditions.

The crew and cargo are safe, the ministry said, adding that they are not involved in any operations in Somalia.

The ministry urged the public not to be misled by false information.

Related Articles

Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad is alive: Adviser

Earlier, Ahmadinejad, who served as Iranian president from 2005 until 2013, was reported killed in an Israeli-US airstrike.

  • World

    03-03-2026

  • 01:02PM

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Closed, Sparking Fears of Oil Market Turmoil

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Closed, Sparking Fears of Oil Market Turmoil …

  • World

    02-03-2026

  • 10:40PM