– A United Nations helicopter with four Ukrainian crew members was seized by al Shabaab militants in central Somalia this week, sparking concerns for their safety and prompting a hostage rescue operation.
The incident unfolded near Hindhere village on Wednesday, when the U.N.-contracted chopper encountered a technical issue during a medical evacuation mission and was forced to land in the area under al Shabaab control.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko confirmed the presence of their citizens on board and identified them as members of the UN Mission in Somalia’s helicopter crew. He further clarified that the aircraft belonged to a private Ukrainian company contracted by the UN, and the government was in contact with them to coordinate rescue efforts.
While the exact number of individuals on board remains unclear, security sources reported nine occupants, including nationals from Egypt, Uganda, and Somalia. The sensitive nature of the situation prompted the sources to request anonymity.
Adding to the tension, an internal UN memo obtained by Reuters indicated the possibility of casualties, with one person allegedly killed and six taken hostage. The memo also mentioned two unidentified individuals who managed to flee the scene. All UN flights in the area were grounded indefinitely following the incident.
Attempts to reach Ugandan and Egyptian authorities for comment proved unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) confirmed the separate killing of a UN guard in a mortar attack near the capital’s Aden Adde international airport, also attributed to suspected al Shabaab militants.
The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by al Shabaab, an al Qaeda-affiliated group that has controlled vast swathes of south and central Somalia for over a decade. Their aim of establishing their own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic law fuels their ongoing conflict with the Somali government.
With the fate of the Ukrainian crew and any other potential hostages still hanging in the balance, authorities are intensifying efforts to secure their release. The incident underscores the complexities and dangers of operating in conflict zones, and the need for robust security measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian and peacekeeping personnel.
