Wednesday June 4, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Al-Shabaab militants have displayed a helicopter that crash-landed near their territory in the Middle Shabelle region, following a technical malfunction during an evacuation mission by Burundian troops under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
The helicopter was transporting Burundian peacekeepers from the recently evacuated Hawadley village after heavy flooding forced their withdrawal. According to AUSSOM, the aircraft experienced mechanical failure during the operation on Monday, prompting the pilots to carry out an emergency landing in a location near Al-Shabaab-controlled territory.
All personnel onboard, including the pilot and troops, safely fled the scene and were later transferred to a nearby military base. However, the abandoned aircraft was subsequently captured by Al-Shabaab fighters, who now claim possession of the wreckage.
Local officials say Al-Shabaab may have re-entered Hawadley following the withdrawal of AUSSOM forces. The village is located in a region where Al-Shabaab maintains a strong presence, particularly around Jowhar, the capital of Hirshabelle State.
In a statement, Kareem Adebayo, acting Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia, praised the Burundian troops for their swift and safe evacuation.
“We commend the swift action of the AUSSOM Burundian troops during the delicate operation. We reaffirm our continued support to the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in mitigating the effects of the flooding.”
The incident has highlighted the fragile security situation in Middle Shabelle and the ongoing challenge facing Somali authorities and AUSSOM forces in maintaining control over strategic locations in the face of natural disasters and persistent militant threats.