Mogadishu, Somalia — July 2, 2025
A Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) helicopter operating under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) has crashed at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu.
The aircraft, which was carrying eight people including crew members, went down in the military section of the airport after arriving from Balidogle airbase in the Lower Shabelle region.
According to the Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA), investigations are currently ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash. Ahmed Maalim, head of the SCAA, confirmed the incident and noted that the crash occurred shortly after landing.
State-run media outlet SONNA reported that a fire broke out following the crash but was swiftly contained by emergency services. Video footage circulating on social media showed thick plumes of smoke billowing 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 an interview with Reuters.
There have been no immediate reports on casualties or the condition of those on board.
The UPDF is part of the AUSSOM mission, which comprises over 11,000 personnel working to support the Somali National Army in combating al Shabaab — a militant group affiliated with al Qaeda. Al Shabaab has waged a deadly insurgency for nearly two decades, aiming to overthrow Somalia’s internationally recognized government and impose its own version of Islamic law.
Authorities in Somalia and the African Union are expected to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
This is a developing story. More details will follow as they become available.
