Credit: Unsplash
UN Mission Aircraft Taken by Militants After Technical Issue
In a concerning development, the al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Shabab has reportedly taken control of a United Nations (UN) helicopter that landed in their area of control in Galmudug state, Somalia. The helicopter, which was part of the UN mission in the region, encountered a technical glitch and made an emergency landing near Gadoon village in the Galgaduud region.
According to reports from Al Jazeera, the incident involved nine individuals, including military personnel and a contractor from outside the company. At least six passengers have been taken into custody by al-Shabab. A UN official in Mogadishu has confirmed the incident, and all UN flights in the vicinity have been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure.
Shortly after the incident, Major Hassan Ali informed Reuters news agency that the helicopter had encountered a problem after taking off from Beledweyne city in central Somalia. The aircraft was carrying medical supplies and was intended to transport injured soldiers from the Galgaduud region.
How did a UN helicopter fall into al-Shabab’s hands in Somalia? https://t.co/jourD5bvJl
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 12, 2024
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric confirmed the incident involving a UN-contracted helicopter in Galmudug, Somalia, stating, “I can confirm the incident involved a UN-contracted helicopter that took place today in Galmudug, Somalia.”
The UN is closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
-
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered a strong message of resilience and determination during a speech commemorating the 75th anniversary... -
In a historic move, Volkswagen AG, one of the leading global automakers, announced it is considering the closure of...
-
Massive train disruptions struck central Germany this Saturday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and scrambling for information at Frankfurt’s...
-
The Middle East has stepped back from the edge of a broader conflict, at least for the moment, after...
-
Pakistan has been grappling with significantly slow internet speeds for weeks, sparking debate over the cause of the connectivity...
-
On the eighth day of the track and field events at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan...
-
The recent anti-immigrant riots in the United Kingdom serve as a stark reminder of how unchecked misinformation on social...
-
In a tragic turn of events, the death toll from two landslides in a remote region of southern Ethiopia...
-
In a dramatic and unprecedented public declaration, Shaikha Mahra bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai’s ruler,...
-
China’s foreign minister Wang Yi has strongly refuted NATO’s accusations that Beijing is aiding Russia in its war on...
-
The highly anticipated wedding of Anant Ambani, the son of Asia’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, is set to culminate...
-
Turkey has unexpectedly backed Greece in its ongoing effort to reclaim the Elgin Marbles from the United Kingdom, describing...
