Al-Shabaab insurgents seized control of a United Nations helicopter, which had to make an emergency landing in an area under the influence of the militants.
A military official, Major Hassan Ali, reported that the aircraft experienced a malfunction after departing from Beledweyne city in central Somalia. It eventually landed near Hindhere village, situated on the border of the Galguduud region.
“Two Somali men and several foreigners were onboard. It was also carrying medical supplies and it was supposed to transport injured soldiers from Galguduud region,” he said.
An anonymous UN worker revealed that the aircraft belonged to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), with a crew of five foreigners.
However, two UN sources familiar with the situation informed reporters that the aircraft actually carried nine passengers. The identities and nationalities of those captured remain unverified.
Al Shabaab, associated with al Qaeda, has been engaged in 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 reclaiming territories from the militants since the mid-2010s, al Shabaab still controls significant areas in southern and central Somalia, persistently targeting civilians and launching attacks on military installations.
Requests for comments from the Somalia government and the UN were unanswered at the time of reporting.
