Somalia announced on Wednesday the crash of a military helicopter belonging to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which caught fire at the airport in the capital, Mogadishu.

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According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), via its account on the X platform, the peacekeeping helicopter was carrying eight individuals when it crashed during landing. The fire resulting from the incident was brought under control.

It remains unclear whether there were any injuries or fatalities from the crash. No immediate comment was available from a spokesperson for the African Union mission.

An airport employee told Reuters, “We heard the explosion and saw smoke and flames from the helicopter. Smoke covered it completely. We don’t know whether it was landing or taking off.”

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The African mission maintains over 11,000 troops in Somalia to support the national army in its fight against the terrorist group Al-Shabaab.

Despite gains made in 2022 and 2023, when Somali forces — backed by the African Union — forced the group into a defensive posture, the East African country continues to face terrorist attacks.

Recent incidents have raised fears of a resurgence, particularly after militants targeted President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy in Mogadishu in March.

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