Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi has refuted Al-Shabaab’s claim that it shot down an African Union (AU) helicopter in the Middle Shabelle region, attributing the incident instead to a technical malfunction.
Speaking in an interview with state media on Saturday, Fiqi confirmed that the crew was safely evacuated and that the incident posed no threat to the mission’s personnel.
His remarks aligned with a statement issued by the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which also cited a technical issue as the cause.
The Al-Qaeda-linked militant group had earlier published images of the helicopter flying above its black flag, alleging it had been downed in a targeted operation.
However, Somali and AU officials dismissed the claim as misinformation aimed at boosting the group’s propaganda.
The helicopter was on a routine flight when the malfunction occurred. The Ministry of Defense emphasized that operations in the area will continue as planned.
This incident highlights the persistent information warfare between Somali authorities and extremist groups, as the country continues efforts to secure territory and maintain public confidence amid ongoing security operations.