A Somali military official announced on Wednesday that militants from Al-Shabaab have seized a helicopter carrying two Somali men and several foreigners after it made an emergency landing in an area controlled by the group. Major Hassan Ali told Reuters that the aircraft encountered a malfunction shortly after taking off from the town of Beledweyne in central Somalia before landing near the village of Handher, close to the Galgaduud region. He added, "It was carrying two Somali men and several foreigners as well as medical supplies, and it was supposed to transport injured soldiers from the Galgaduud region."
A United Nations employee, who requested anonymity, stated that the helicopter is contracted by the UN assistance mission to Somalia and that the crew includes five foreigners. Two UN sources told Reuters that the helicopter was carrying nine passengers. Reuters was unable to independently verify the identities or nationalities of those being held.
A statement confirmed that the UN acknowledged on Wednesday the occurrence of an "aviation incident" involving a helicopter contracted with the UN in the Galmudug region of Somalia. The UN assistance mission to Somalia stated in a release, "The helicopter was conducting a medical air evacuation. The UN has begun the process of gathering all relevant information. Response efforts are ongoing."
