In a concerning incident on Wednesday, Al Shabaab operatives seized control of a United Nations helicopter that had made an emergency landing in an area under the Islamist group’s control. The incident occurred after the aircraft encountered a defect shortly after taking off from Beledweyne city in central Somalia, according to Major Hassan Ali.
The helicopter, believed to be owned by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), was carrying two Somali men and several foreigners, including a crew of five individuals. The aircraft was also loaded with medical supplies and was scheduled to transport injured soldiers from the Galguduud region.
Although the identities and nationalities of those captured remain unverified, it is reported that the helicopter carried a total of nine passengers. Al Shabaab, with ties to al Qaeda, has been engaged in an insurgency against the Somali government since 2006, seeking to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
Despite the government successfully reclaiming some territories from Al Shabaab in the mid-2010s, the Islamist group still controls significant portions of southern and central Somalia. Al Shabaab continues to pose a threat by targeting civilians and launching attacks on military establishments.
As of now, there has been no official response from the Somalia government or the United Nations regarding the incident. Spokespeople for both entities have not immediately provided comments or updates on the situation. The situation raises concerns about the safety of the captured individuals and the implications for UN operations in the region.
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