International peacekeepers, others survive military helicopter crash in Somalia

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – A military helicopter carrying international peacekeepers crashed on the outskirts of Somali capital Mogadishu on Thursday.

Several military personnel aboard the helicopter, including three Ugandan soldiers serving with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), survived the crash, according to security sources.

The incident resulted in no deaths, a military official told Anadolu over the phone, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the media.

So far, neither the Somali National Army (SNA) nor the ATMIS have released a statement regarding the incident.

However, sources said all of people on board the helicopter were rescued.

It is unclear whether the crash was caused by a technical issue or a hostile fire.

The helicopter was flying from Mogadishu to Ballidogle airfield, where US forces and Somali army commandos Danab are stationed.

Balidogle is 90 kilometers (55 miles) south-west of Mogadishu.