AAL
22nd Sep 2008, 16:39
Fundamentalist rebels al Shabaab in Somalia have threatened to close down Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport accusing the Government of Uganda and their sponsors the USA of flying arms and military supplies into MGQ to arm the Khartoum government.
This threat has manifested in regular mortar bombardments of the airport during the past week during which many civilians were killed in the process. The rebels have also threatened to shoot down aircraft when next again attempting to land at the airport. (Two IL-76's were shot down in this fashion last year at MGQ airport).
During flight operations into MGQ at the end of last week ending 19 Sep 2008, one such bombardment occurred. It seemed that the mortar fire was well directed and appeared to explode ever closer to the IL-76 aircraft that had just landed with supplies for the Ugandan forces deployed inside the airport perimeter, to the extent that the fire was being controlled by an observer based inside the airport, directing the fire.
During such threats all military personnel including Ugandan peacekeepers scramble for their foxholes leaving an unsuspecting operator to his own devices. No extra security precautions are taken by the peacekeepers during landing approaches and take-offs. No thought is given to area defences or deploying aerial observation during flight operations into or out of the airport. The area's surrounding the airport including approaches and departures are not safe and not under friendly forces control. The rebels seem to be operating around the airport perimeter with impunity.
Of concern is that an unsuspecting operator might agree to unwittingly undertake such flights unbeknown of the perils and risks awaiting at Aden Adde Airport (MGQ).
Logistical support for the African Union Somalia peacekeeping operation is provided and controlled by an internationally renowned American Private Military Company (PMC) who seem oblivious and unconcerned to the threat posed to aviation into and out of MGQ airport, and unperturbed by the potential catastrophic consequence of reckless and irresponsible flight operations into the area.
This situation on the ground at Aden Adde International Airport exists at a time when the deployment of soldiers from Burundi and Nigeria are imminent.
All aviators planning to fly into MGQ in the near future will be well advised to pay heed to the present substantial threat prevailing and not to accept assurances from this American PMC that it is at all safe to fly into MGQ at the moment.
More about the situation in MGQ can be viewed at:
allAfrica.com: Somalia (http://allafrica.com/somalia/)
Fly safe!
This threat has manifested in regular mortar bombardments of the airport during the past week during which many civilians were killed in the process. The rebels have also threatened to shoot down aircraft when next again attempting to land at the airport. (Two IL-76's were shot down in this fashion last year at MGQ airport).
During flight operations into MGQ at the end of last week ending 19 Sep 2008, one such bombardment occurred. It seemed that the mortar fire was well directed and appeared to explode ever closer to the IL-76 aircraft that had just landed with supplies for the Ugandan forces deployed inside the airport perimeter, to the extent that the fire was being controlled by an observer based inside the airport, directing the fire.
During such threats all military personnel including Ugandan peacekeepers scramble for their foxholes leaving an unsuspecting operator to his own devices. No extra security precautions are taken by the peacekeepers during landing approaches and take-offs. No thought is given to area defences or deploying aerial observation during flight operations into or out of the airport. The area's surrounding the airport including approaches and departures are not safe and not under friendly forces control. The rebels seem to be operating around the airport perimeter with impunity.
Of concern is that an unsuspecting operator might agree to unwittingly undertake such flights unbeknown of the perils and risks awaiting at Aden Adde Airport (MGQ).
Logistical support for the African Union Somalia peacekeeping operation is provided and controlled by an internationally renowned American Private Military Company (PMC) who seem oblivious and unconcerned to the threat posed to aviation into and out of MGQ airport, and unperturbed by the potential catastrophic consequence of reckless and irresponsible flight operations into the area.
This situation on the ground at Aden Adde International Airport exists at a time when the deployment of soldiers from Burundi and Nigeria are imminent.
All aviators planning to fly into MGQ in the near future will be well advised to pay heed to the present substantial threat prevailing and not to accept assurances from this American PMC that it is at all safe to fly into MGQ at the moment.
More about the situation in MGQ can be viewed at:
allAfrica.com: Somalia (http://allafrica.com/somalia/)
Fly safe!