HARARE, January 11. /TASS/. Terrorists from the Al-Shabab group burned a UN helicopter, captured in the central part of Somalia, the Garowe website reported citing it sources. According to preliminary information, the helicopter carried nine people; at least six were taken hostage, two managed to escape and one was killed.

The federal authorities of Somalia are searching for the hostages. Some of them are foreigners with undetermined citizenship; it is known that they were affiliated with the UN mission to Somalia.

Apparently, the helicopter landed due to a malfunction which could have caused a mid-air explosion. According to some reports, the helicopter was used for relocation of UN servicemen and the governmental forces; according to other ones, it was used for evacuation of those in need of medical aid. The helicopter made an emergency landing in the state of Galmudug.

Al-Shabab has been fighting against the Somalian government since 2006 in a bid to impose its own governance over the subdued territories, mostly in central and southern parts of the country. Since 2022, the government has been able to take back some territories in the Central region.