Extremists in Somalia did not spare even the UN helicopter, killed 1 person, took 5 hostage

Mogadishu: Al Shabaab militants in Somalia on Wednesday killed one person aboard a UN helicopter that made an emergency landing in territory under their control, and took five others hostage. The officers provided this information.

Mohamed Abdi Aden Gboube, the internal security minister of Galmudug state in central Somalia, told The Associated Press by phone that the helicopter had landed in Sheindheere village due to engine failure. The minister said that there were seven people on board the helicopter, including six foreigners. One of them was a citizen of Somalia.

5 caught, 1 shot
He said Al Shabaab militants captured five passengers while they were trying to escape and shot dead one. According to the minister, one passenger has survived. Al Shabaab has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack. The United Nations office in Somalia has also not immediately responded to the matter.

UN helicopter was on a mission
Internal Security Minister Mohamed Abdi Aden Gboube said the U.N. helicopter with troops and medical personnel was on a mission and was forced to land in the Galmudug region of central Somalia after a technical failure. The minister said the militants burnt the helicopter after seizing what they considered important.

attempt to rescue hostages
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that there was an incident involving a UN-contracted helicopter in Galmudug today. He said, “For the safety of the people on board the plane, he will not give any details other than to say that efforts are underway to rescue them.” “We are fully engaged on this issue and trying to resolve it.” The nationalities of the passengers were not immediately available. Al-Shabaab has waged an insurgency in the African nation since 2006, with several strongholds in central and southern Somalia.

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Tag: Somalia, United Nations