Thursday October 24, 2024
FILE - A Bell 412EPX military helicopter in flight, similar to the helicopters recently acquired by the Somali government to bolster its military capabilities in counter-insurgency operations against Al-Shabaab.
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has refuted reports circulating on social media claiming that aircraft recently purchased by the government have crashed while attempting to land in unauthorized areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the SCAA dismissed the claims as false, asserting that they are part of a disinformation campaign orchestrated by "enemies of Somalia." The authority, responsible for overseeing all aviation operations in the country, emphasized that all government-owned helicopters and planes acquired over the past two years are operating under full safety compliance.
"The Somali Civil Aviation Authority confirms that recent rumours about government-owned aircraft crashing or making emergency landings in remote areas are completely untrue," the statement read. The SCAA also urged the public to verify any aviation-related information through official sources.
"These rumours are designed to confuse and mislead the public. We encourage everyone to rely on verified sources for information related to government operations," the spokesperson added.
"The allegations being spread online are completely baseless. All of our aircraft are functioning properly and continue to serve their intended national purposes," an SCAA spokesperson said. The statement clarified that all aviation assets are subject to regular inspections and adhere to stringent safety regulations.
The denial comes as Somalia has been enhancing its military capabilities, following the purchase of four Bell 412EPX helicopters from Italy. The helicopters, valued at $16 million, represent one of the most significant military deliveries to Somalia since lifting the arms embargo, which had previously limited Somalia's ability to procure advanced military equipment.
The SCAA reiterated that all helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft purchased by the government are "safe and performing their national duties."