Mogadishu, Somalia – A Ugandan military helicopter, operated under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), crashed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time, resulting in at least three confirmed deaths and ongoing rescue efforts for the remaining passengers. The helicopter, carrying eight personnel, was en route from Baledogle military airbase in the Lower Shabelle region when it crash-landed in the airport’s military section, sparking a fire and causing significant disruption.

According to the Somali National News Agency (SONNA), the helicopter caught fire upon impact, but emergency services quickly contained the blaze. Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion and thick plumes of smoke rising from the crash site. “We heard the blast and saw smoke and flames over a helicopter. The smoke entirely covered the helicopter,” said Farah Abdulle, an airport employee, in a statement to Reuters. Another witness, aviation officer Omar Farah, described the helicopter “spinning and then it fell very fast,” as reported by The Associated Press.

The Somali Civil Aviation Authority, led by Director General Ahmed Macallin Hassan, confirmed the incident occurred in the Afisyoni section of the airport. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash, which remains unclear. Major General Felix Kulayigye, a spokesperson for the Ugandan military, told Xinhua that three of the eight passengers were rescued and rushed to the AUSSOM Level II hospital in Mogadishu for treatment, while five others are feared dead, though search and rescue operations continue.

The crash led to temporary disruptions at Aden Adde International Airport, with a Turkish Airlines flight diverted to Nairobi for safety. However, Hassan stated that the runway is now clear, and flight operations have resumed. “The situation is under control. The runway is fully operational – flights can land and take off as usual,” he told state media.

The helicopter was part of AUSSOM, a mission comprising over 11,000 personnel from countries including Uganda and Kenya, tasked with supporting Somali forces in countering the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militant group. The crash has reignited concerns about the safety of military operations in Somalia, where al-Shabaab continues to wage a nearly two-decade-long insurgency. This incident follows a previous Ugandan military helicopter crash in September 2024, highlighting ongoing challenges for peacekeeping forces in the region.

Local resident Abdirahim Ali, who witnessed the crash, described “a huge explosion and smoke everywhere,” underscoring the severity of the incident. Artan Mohamed, head of the airport’s immigration office, confirmed the death toll to Al Jazeera, noting that the fate of the remaining passengers is still being determined.

The AUSSOM mission faces persistent challenges, including funding difficulties and the complex operational environment posed by al-Shabaab’s insurgency. This latest incident has prompted renewed calls for enhanced safety measures and support for peacekeeping forces in Somalia. Authorities have promised a thorough investigation, with updates expected as rescue operations and inquiries progress.

Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC, Xinhua, The Associated Press, Somali National News Agency (SONNA)