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The Somali armed Islamist group al-Shabab has seized a United Nations helicopter, along with about eight people, both passengers and crew, local sources have told the BBC.<\/p>\n
The helicopter landed in territory held by the group in central Somalia.<\/p>\n
The UN’s mission in Somalia (Unsom) confirmed an “aviation incident” involving a UN-contracted helicopter conducting a medical evacuation.<\/p>\n
It did not mention al-Shabab, but said “response efforts are under way”.<\/p>\n
A UN memo on the incident seen by AFP news agency says the helicopter crash-landed about 70km (43 miles) southeast of Dhusamareb and no UN staff were on board. The personnel were third-party contractors, the report said.<\/p>\n
The nationalities of those on board have not been specified, nor the exact number involved.<\/p>\n
Al-Shabab controls large parts of southern and central Somalia.<\/p>\n
The group is affiliated to al-Qaeda and has waged a brutal insurgency for nearly 20 years.<\/p>\n
The seizure of the helicopter was confirmed to the BBC by Galmudug region Security Minister Mohamed Abdi Adan.<\/p>\n
Several foreigners and two locals were on the helicopter, Somali military official Major Hassan Ali told Reuters news agency.<\/p>\n
“It was also carrying medical supplies and it was supposed to transport injured soldiers from Galgudud region,” he was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
The helicopter was heading to Wisil town near the frontlines of an offensive against al-Shabab by government forces when it landed.<\/p>\n