Five soldiers killed as helicopter crashes in Somalia

According to Uganda officials, five Ugandali soldiers were killed after a military helicopter serving the Mission of the African Union of Somalia.

The Mi-24 helicopter came from an airport in the Alt Shabelle region with eight people on board during the accident in the capital on Wednesday.

Initially, Uganda belonged to the Air Force, but the African Union was run by the mission of protection of peace.

Uganda’s army was a “routine war escort task” and the pilot, auxiliary pilot and flight engineer survived the accident with serious injuries and burns.

Ahmed Moalim Hassan, General Manager of Somalia Civil Aviation Authority, said that the investigations continue to State Media.

Omar Farah, the first aviation officer who reached the accident area, said to Associated Press that he saw the helicopter returned and then fell very fast.

Abdirahim Ali, a nearby resident, said he saw “a big explosion and smoke everywhere.”

Small delays were reported at Adine Adde Airport, but since then, flights and other operations have continued.

The mission of peace protection of the African Union, known as AUSSOM, helps Somalia officials to fight Al-Shab, a group of rebels opposing the existence of foreign troops in the African horn country.

The mission includes troops from countries such as Uganda and Kenya.