MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) — Al-Shabaab militants on Monday, June 2, displayed a downed African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) helicopter after seizing control of Xawaadley village, located 50km northeast of the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
The helicopter, belonging to the Burundian contingent of AUSSOM, crash-landed during an emergency evacuation operation amid reports of an impending Al-Shabaab attack on the area in the Middle Shabelle area.
In a statement released on Tuesday, June 3, AUSSOM confirmed that the helicopter experienced a technical malfunction but was brought down safely by the pilots.
“During the evacuation on Monday, one of the helicopters experienced a technical malfunction. However, despite this challenge, the pilots skilfully manoeuvred the aircraft to land safely,” the AUSSOM statement said, adding that all troops and crew were safely evacuated to the nearest military base and that no casualties were reported.
However, photos from the scene show armed Al-Shabaab militants—affiliated with Al-Qaeda—standing atop the downed helicopter.
The aircraft, which appears largely intact and shows no signs of fire damage, suggests a controlled crash landing.
Local residents in Xawaadley told reporters that the militants seized equipment from the helicopter, and the fate of its occupants remains unclear.
“Even if the pilots landed the helicopter, why did they do it here—in an area controlled by Al-Shabaab? And where are the pilots now?” asked Ibrahim Nur, a district elder from Xawaadley who fled the village for his safety following the militant takeover.
What Happened in Xawaadley?
A Somali security official confirmed that Burundian forces stationed in Xawaadley had requested an emergency evacuation early Monday after receiving intelligence about an imminent Al-Shabaab attack.
Somali government troops and allied clan militias reportedly withdrew from the area, allowing Al-Shabaab fighters to advance and capture the village as AUSSOM troops evacuated in haste.
One of the helicopters involved in the operation crash-landed during the evacuation.
Following the militant takeover, residents and Al-Shabaab fighters reportedly looted the Burundian base, taking food supplies, fuel, equipment, and items from the crashed helicopter.
The Somali federal government has not officially commented on the incident. However, in a separate statement, Defense Minister Ahmed Fiqi acknowledged the challenges faced by government forces.
“The Somali government forces lack sufficient ammunition and weapons. Therefore, we request additional support from the international community to continue our fight against Al-Shabaab,” Minister Fiqi said.