Al-Shabab, the armed Islamist group that controls large parts of Somalia, has seized a United Nations helicopter and its crew, according to local sources. The helicopter, which was carrying medical supplies and injured soldiers, landed in an area under the group’s control in central Somalia on Wednesday.
The UN’s mission in Somalia (Unsom) confirmed an “aviation incident” involving a UN-contracted helicopter conducting a medical evacuation. It did not mention al-Shabab, but said “Response efforts are underway”.
A UN memo on the incident seen by AFP news agency says the helicopter crash-landed about 70km (43 miles) southeast of Dhusamareb and no UN staff were on board. The personnel were third-party contractors, the report said.
The nationalities of those on board have not been specified, nor the exact number involved. One passenger was reportedly killed and two others fled.
Al-Shabab is affiliated with al-Qaeda and has waged a brutal insurgency for nearly 20 years, aiming to overthrow the internationally-backed government and impose its strict version of Islamic law.
The group has carried out frequent attacks on security forces, government officials, and civilians, both in Somalia and in neighboring countries such as Kenya and Uganda.
The Somali government, with the support of African Union troops and Western allies, has been fighting to regain control of the territory held by al-Shabab. The group still controls rural areas and major roads, where it often sets up checkpoints and extorts money from travelers.
The UN has been providing humanitarian and development assistance to Somalia, as well as supporting the peace and reconciliation process. The country has been plagued by conflict, drought, famine, and poverty for decades.
The UN says more than five million people in Somalia need humanitarian aid, and 2.9 million are internally displaced. The country is also facing a locust invasion and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which has infected over 14,000 people and killed more than 700.
The UN has urged all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian workers and assets.
Despite the challenges, Somalia has made some progress in recent years, such as holding indirect elections, improving public finances, and strengthening its security institutions.
The UN and its partners have expressed their commitment to continue supporting Somalia’s peace and state-building process, and to help the country achieve its long-term development goals.
Source: BBC
