On June 3, 2025, Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militant group claimed responsibility for shooting down a Burundian Bell 412 helicopter near its stronghold in the Middle Shabelle region. The helicopter, bearing the serial number AUO-012, was part of the African Union’s AUSSOM mission and was engaged in an evacuation effort when the incident occurred. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, reported that the helicopter was transporting Burundian peacekeepers from the flood-affected village of Hawadley when it encountered a mechanical failure, forcing an emergency landing near territory controlled by Al-Shabaab.
According to AUSSOM, the emergency landing was a result of a technical malfunction rather than enemy action. Despite the helicopter being abandoned at the site due to the circumstances, all personnel on board, including the pilot and the troops, managed to evacuate safely. They were subsequently recovered and transferred to a nearby military base. However, Al-Shabaab fighters captured the wreckage of the helicopter after the evacuation, later circulating images of it and asserting that they had shot it down. This claim stands in direct contrast to the official statement from AUSSOM, which insists that no hostile fire was involved.
Kareem Adebayo, the acting Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson for Somalia, praised the Burundian troops for their swift and professional response to the crisis. He also reiterated the African Union’s ongoing commitment to supporting Somalia, a country grappling with both worsening floods and persistent security threats from groups like Al-Shabaab. Following the withdrawal of AU forces from the immediate area, local officials noted that Al-Shabaab may have re-entered Hawadley. This village, located near Jowhar, the capital of Hirshabelle State, remains a strategic point where the militant group continues to exert considerable influence.
This incident is not an isolated event in Somalia’s volatile landscape. Just last year, Al-Shabaab militants seized a United Nations helicopter that was carrying two Somali men and several foreigners. That aircraft had taken off from Beledweyne city in central Somalia but encountered a defect shortly afterwards, leading to an emergency landing near Hindhere village, close to the Galguduud region. The landing site was in an area under Al-Shabaab control, and the group quickly captured the helicopter. UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed the event during a briefing in New York, stating, “I can confirm that there was an incident involving a UN-contracted helicopter that took place today in Galmudug in Somalia.”
The repeated targeting or capturing of downed aircraft by Al-Shabaab reveals the ongoing dangers faced by peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Somali airspace. The Bell 412 incident, much like the UN helicopter capture, demonstrates how quickly situations can escalate in regions where the militant group operates. In the case of the Burundian helicopter, the safe evacuation of all personnel was a fortunate outcome, but the loss of the aircraft itself to Al-Shabaab fighters represents a tangible setback. The group’s ability to seize and publicise the wreckage serves not only as a propaganda victory but also as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining operational security in such a hostile environment.
The contrasting narratives between AUSSOM and Al-Shabaab add complexity to the incident. While AUSSOM attributes the helicopter’s emergency landing to a mechanical issue, Al-Shabaab’s claim of shooting it down suggests a more aggressive engagement. Without definitive evidence presented in the immediate aftermath, both accounts remain part of the story, reflecting the contested nature of information in Somalia’s conflict zones. What is clear, however, is that the helicopter sustained substantial damage and could not be recovered before Al-Shabaab took control of it.
For peacekeeping missions like AUSSOM, these events emphasize the need for robust planning and rapid response capabilities. The Burundian troops’ ability to evacuate safely speaks to their training and preparedness, yet the broader context of Somalia’s instability remains a daunting obstacle. Floods, like those affecting Hawadley, compound the difficulties of operating in the region, while Al-Shabaab’s presence continues to threaten both military and civilian efforts. The strategic value of locations like Hawadley, near key regional centers such as Jowhar, makes them frequent flashpoints in the ongoing struggle for control.
The downing of the Burundian Bell 412 helicopter, whether by mechanical failure or militant action, stands as a stark example of the risks inherent in Somalia’s peacekeeping operations.
