A helicopter belonging to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) crashed on Wednesday morning while attempting to land at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) confirmed the incident in a post shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

According to SONNA, the aircraft had departed from Balidoogle Airfield in the Lower Shabelle region and was carrying eight personnel at the time of the crash. Upon landing at the airport, the helicopter went down, triggering a fire that was swiftly brought under control. Authorities are currently on site to assess the situation.

Despite the crash, flight operations at the airport remain unaffected, with civil aviation authorities confirming that all scheduled flights are proceeding as normal.

“An AUSSOM helicopter carrying 8 personnel crashed during landing at Mogadishu’s Aden Adde Airport this morning after departing Balidoogle. The fire has been contained, and authorities are assessing the situation. Civil Aviation says flight operations remain normal,” SONNA stated in its update.

Reports of Casualties as Emergency Services Respond

While the official number of casualties has not been confirmed, a civil aviation official in Mogadishu acknowledged that there were fatalities or injuries resulting from the crash. Emergency responders, including firefighters and rescue teams, arrived at the scene promptly to manage the situation and provide assistance.

Eyewitness accounts described the incident as intense and alarming. One airport employee, Farah Abdulle, who was on duty at the time of the crash, recalled:

“We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter.”

Another resident from the nearby Waberi district also described seeing thick, dark smoke billowing from the airport early in the morning. The sight of the flames and the volume of smoke reportedly caused panic among residents in the area.

Crash Site Located in Military Section of Airport

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority later confirmed that the crash occurred in the military section of the airport, not within the civilian terminals or passenger zones. Its director, Ahmed Maalim, told the BBC that the helicopter had come from Balidoogle Airfield, a known airbase used for both Somali and international military operations.

An official investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the accident. No preliminary findings have yet been made public, but both Somali and African Union officials are expected to jointly examine the incident, given the military nature of the operation.

Helicopter Likely Operated by Ugandan Troops

Initial reports suggest that the helicopter was operated by Ugandan troops serving under the African Union’s peacekeeping mandate in Somalia. Uganda remains one of the largest contributors of troops to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS)—recently rebranded as AUSSOM—tasked with supporting the Somali government in its ongoing fight against the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group, al-Shabab.

AUSSOM replaced the former AMISOM mission as part of a broader international effort to stabilize Somalia, counter terrorism, and help build the country’s security institutions. Troops from Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya serve under the AU banner and frequently undertake logistical and military operations, including air mobility support for personnel and supplies.

AU Yet to Release Official Statement

As of the time of reporting, the African Union Mission had not released a formal statement concerning the helicopter crash. However, it is expected that the AU will comment after initial findings from the investigation become available.

The crash comes at a time of increased tension and operational activity in Somalia, where security forces are engaged in ongoing efforts to dismantle al-Shabab strongholds in central and southern regions. Helicopters are often used by AU forces for rapid personnel deployment, medical evacuations, and surveillance missions across remote or volatile areas.

While helicopter crashes are rare, they are not unprecedented in conflict zones like Somalia, where logistical challenges, maintenance issues, and hostile environments complicate flight operations.

Background on Balidoogle Airfield and AU Operations

Balidoogle Airfield, from which the ill-fated helicopter departed, is located approximately 100 kilometers west of Mogadishu and serves as a critical base for both Somali and foreign military forces, including the United States. The airfield is frequently used for drone operations, counterterrorism missions, and troop deployments across the Shabelle and Jubaland regions.

The AU peacekeeping mission has played a central role in Somalia’s security landscape since 2007. Over the years, the mission has evolved to respond to the changing nature of the insurgency and the Somali government’s own capacity to manage national security.

What Happens Next

With an investigation now underway, authorities are expected to focus on the technical condition of the aircraft, flight crew credentials, and weather or air traffic control circumstances that may have contributed to the crash.

It is not yet clear whether any of the eight personnel on board survived. As updates become available, more clarity is expected on the nationality of the victims, the cause of the crash, and whether the aircraft’s operational protocols were followed.

Meanwhile, civil aviation authorities in Somalia have reassured the public that there is no ongoing threat to flight operations, and that Aden Adde International Airport remains fully operational.

The incident highlights the inherent risks of military aviation in volatile environments and underscores the critical role played by African Union forces in maintaining stability in Somalia.