Gladness Gideon
An African Union (AU) helicopter belonging to the Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) crashed on Wednesday morning while attempting to land at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport, Somali state media has confirmed.
According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the helicopter had eight people onboard and was returning from Balidoogle, a key military base in southern Somalia. It crashed during landing, sparking a brief fire that was quickly contained.
“The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation,” SONNA said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The state media outlet cited the country’s civil aviation authorities, who confirmed that flight operations at the airport remain unaffected.
No fatalities or serious injuries have been reported so far, though the full extent of the damage and possible minor injuries is still under assessment.
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The AUSSOM mission, which replaced the former African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), is tasked with supporting Somali forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants. The crash underscores the challenging operational environment faced by international forces amid security concerns and persistent funding constraints.
Unverified video footage and images circulating online appeared to show thick plumes of black smoke rising above the capital, sparking brief alarm among residents before officials confirmed the incident involved an AU helicopter and not an attack.
The African Union and Somali authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding the condition of those onboard or the cause of the crash.
AUSSOM continues to play a crucial role in Somalia’s fragile security landscape, as fears mount over the resurgence of Al-Shabaab and the future stability of the Horn of Africa nation.