MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – A military helicopter crashed on Thursday afternoon after departing from Mogadishu and en route to Ballidoogle military base in the Lower Shabelle region, local sources and eyewitnesses said.
The crash took place a bushy area located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the capital.
The incident occurred near the Afgooye district, with initial reports indicating that the helicopter was targeted by heavy artillery fired by the militant group Al-Shabaab.
Despite the attack, all passengers aboard — including three Ugandan nationals — survived.
The helicopter, part of the African Union’s peacekeeping mission, ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia), was carrying Somali government forces when it went down in a remote area.
Eyewitnesses reported that the crash was severe, but there were no fatalities. Somali police forces quickly responded, rescuing all passengers from the wreckage.
This marks a significant security incident, highlighting the continuous risks faced by peacekeeping forces and military operations in Somalia.
Thursday’s incident underscores the persistent challenges in combating insurgent groups like Al-Shabaab, who remain active in parts of the country.
The crash site, located between Afgooye and Carbiska, is known for being a tense area, where resistance to military operations is frequently encountered.
As of now, neither Somali security agencies nor ATMIS officials have released further details regarding the crash or the circumstances leading up to it. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.