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

Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race, becomes first Muslim elected to US Senate

The victory marks a milestone for Muslim representation in American politics and a breakthrough for the Democratic Party’s progressive wing.

  • World

    04-11-2026

  • 09:26AM

From the Battlefields to the Classrooms — Al-Baraa bin Malik Brigade’s Next-Generation Strategy

What is being invested in schools today is, in effect, a long-term reserve of this capacity to obstruct peace.

  • World

    04-11-2026

  • 05:59AM