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Al-Shabaab militants have taken control of a helicopter that crash-landed near their territory in Somalia’s Middle Shabelle region. The aircraft belonged to Burundian troops under the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and went down during an emergency evacuation.
The helicopter was evacuating Burundian peacekeepers from Hawadley village, which had recently been abandoned due to heavy flooding. The area has been affected by severe weather, forcing AUSSOM troops to withdraw for safety reasons. While carrying out the evacuation on Monday, the helicopter suffered a technical problem, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing near a zone controlled by Al-Shabaab.
Thankfully, everyone on board—including the pilot and soldiers—managed to escape safely. They were later picked up and taken to a nearby military base. However, since the helicopter was left behind, Al-Shabaab fighters were able to reach it and now claim ownership of the wreckage.
Local reports suggest that Al-Shabaab may have returned to Hawadley after the AUSSOM troops pulled out. The village lies in an area where the group already has a strong presence, particularly around Jowhar, which is the capital of Hirshabelle State.
Kareem Adebayo, who is currently the acting Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson for Somalia, praised the Burundian troops for their quick and safe response during the emergency. In a statement, he said:
“We commend the swift action of the AUSSOM Burundian troops during the delicate operation. We reaffirm our continued support to the people and the Federal Government of Somalia in mitigating the effects of the flooding.”
This incident has once again brought attention to the fragile security situation in Somalia, especially in Middle Shabelle. It shows how difficult it is for Somali authorities and African Union forces to maintain control of key areas—especially when facing both natural disasters like flooding and the constant threat from militant groups like Al-Shabaab.
Al-Shabaab continues to be active in many parts of Somalia, including the area around Jowhar. Even when international and Somali forces manage to clear certain towns or villages, the group often returns as soon as those forces leave. The situation becomes even more complicated during natural disasters, which can force government troops to move out and give militants a chance to move back in.
The crash and the takeover of the helicopter by Al-Shabaab raise concerns not just about safety but also about how the group may use this event for propaganda. Al-Shabaab has a history of using captured equipment or soldiers to boost their image and spread fear. While no lives were lost in this incident, the fact that militants now have access to the wreckage could be used to make political or psychological gains.
The African Union and Somali government continue to face major challenges in stabilizing the country. Floods, poor infrastructure, and limited resources make it even harder for peacekeeping missions to operate safely and effectively.
This latest event highlights the ongoing dangers faced by peacekeepers and the urgent need for stronger support systems, both in terms of security and disaster response. It also shows how quickly the situation on the ground can change—sometimes within hours—when forces are forced to pull back due to natural events or mechanical problems.
As of now, efforts are ongoing to maintain order and respond to the security threat in the region. However, with Al-Shabaab still active and growing in influence, much work remains to ensure lasting peace and safety for the people of Somalia.