Latest news with #UPDF
Russia Today
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Peacekeepers killed in helicopter crash in Somalia (VIDEO)
A military helicopter deployed under an African Union (AU) peacekeeping mission in Somalia has crashed at the international airport in the capital, Mogadishu, killing five personnel on board, authorities have reported. The Mi-24 helicopter, operated by the Uganda People's Defense Forces (UPDF), was carrying eight people – including six crew members – and was on a routine combat escort mission when it crashed at 07:30 local time on Wednesday, according to military spokesman Felix Kulaigye. 'The pilot, co-pilot, and flight engineer survived the crash but sustained serious injuries and severe burns,' Kulaigye said in a statement. Three civilians who were injured as a result of a detonation of onboard munitions, which caused significant damage to nearby structures, are currently receiving treatment alongside the surviving crew members, he added. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the crash, Kulaigye said. The statement did not clarify whether the personnel were all Ugandan troops, who are serving with the more than 11,000-strong African Union peacekeeping force, known as AUSSOM. The mission supports the Somali government in its fight against the Al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab group, which has waged a brutal insurgency in the East African country for over two decades. Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Kenya also contribute troops to the mission. Flight disruption including Turkish Airlines flight (bound for Mogadishu) diversion to Nairobi after a military helicopter crashed and caught fire at Aden Adde Airport earlier AUSSOM military helicopter with eight personnel on board crashed while landing at Mogadishu's… AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has expressed his 'profound sorrow at the tragic loss' of the five peacekeepers and extended his 'deepest condolences' to the families of the victims. He also declared the continental body's commitment to 'ensuring that the sacrifice of these brave peacekeepers continues to advance the cause of peace, stability, and security in Somalia.' The crash adds to a series of helicopter incidents involving African Union forces in Somalia. Early last month, a helicopter manned by Burundian troops came down during an evacuation flight in the Middle Shabelle region. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, saying it had shot down the aircraft, but AUSSOM reported that the helicopter was forced to land after it 'experienced a technical malfunction.' All crew members survived. Last September, another helicopter carrying peacekeepers, including Ugandan troops, went down near Mogadishu, with no casualties reported. In February 2023, an AU helicopter crashed during a training exercise in the Lower Shabelle region, killing three people and injuring eight others.
Zawya
03-07-2025
- Zawya
Ugandan military helicopter crashes at Somalia's Mogadishu airport, three dead
MOGADISHU: An African Union helicopter operated by the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent crash-landed just before touching down on Wednesday at the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, while enroute from the Baledogle military airbase. Somali authorities announced that three people were killed. The African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) said in a statement earlier that 'search and rescue operations are currently underway to retrieve the remaining crew and passengers.' The helicopter crash-landed at Mogadishu's international airport just before touching down, AUSSOM said.
Zawya
02-07-2025
- General
- Zawya
African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Statement on Helicopter Crash at Mogadishu Airport
On Wednesday at around 7.30 a.m., an African Union helicopter operated by the Uganda Peoples' Defence Forces (UPDF) contingent crash-landed just before touching down at the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, while enroute from the Baledogle military airbase. Three of the eight passengers on board were immediately rescued and rushed to the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) Level II hospital in Mogadishu for medical attention. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to retrieve the remaining crew and passengers. Meanwhile, aviation authorities have commenced investigations to establish the cause of the accident. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Demand for MSME stock exchange in UP
Lucknow: Based on its on-ground experience of interaction with UP's diaspora in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh Development Forum — a not-for-profit social organisation working to integrate UP diaspora for development of the state — has urged the Uttar Pradesh govt to establish a dedicated MSME National Stock Exchange in Uttar Pradesh. In a letter to UP MSME minister Rakesh Sachan, UPDF president Pankaj Jaiswal wrote: "While existing stock exchanges such as BSE and NSE offer an SME platform for IPOs, these often operate under the overwhelming shadow of large-cap markets much like a sapling growing under a Banyan tree. We believe that if UP being the national leader in MSMEs takes the bold step of establishing a dedicated MSME Stock Exchange, it would serve as a catalytic financial institution for MSMEs across India." He added UP's exchange could focus exclusively on the unique capital needs of small and medium enterprises. He listed out several advantages of the exchange, such as simplified and fast-track listing procedure; tailored compliance mechanisms; sector-specific investor networks. "The initiative would not only solve capital accessibility issues but also position Uttar Pradesh as the capital state for MSMEs, just as Mumbai is for capital markets," he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Co-live Spaces Starting from 42L+ | Whitefield Sumadhura Learn More Undo Sachan, during his interaction with UPDF in Maharashtra on Saturday, gave a presentation on the policy support being provided to MSMEs in Uttar Pradesh and elaborated on the govt's flagship "PLEDGE Scheme". This scheme promotes the development of private industrial parks under a "build, own, and operate" model, allowing land development from 10 to 50 acres with significant incentives, including 100% exemption on stamp duty, loan assistance at just 1% interest rate, grant support of up to Rs 4 crore, 10 years exemption on electricity duty, as well as GST and income tax exemptions. Facilities such as testing labs, effluent treatment plants, and road connectivity are also supported. He also invited entrepreneurs to invest in UP and share knowledge with local industries. On this occasion, Ashok Tiwari proposed organising a National MSME Conclave in Uttar Pradesh.
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Statement On The Illegal Arrest Of 11 Jumma People In CHT
The International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination & Liberation expresses utmost condemnation on the illegal and baseless arrest of eleven Indigenous Jumma People in Chittagong Hills Tract last June 19th & 20th. The eleven were arrested in two operations carried out by the Bangladesh Army. On June 19th, Suga Chakma and Bindumoy Chakma were arrested in Baghaichari Upazila, Rangamati district, and were falsely framed as collectors for the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF). The following day, 9 others were arrested under the pretense of being members of the Parbattya Chhattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS). In both operations, those arrested were framed for possessing homemade armaments, electric cables, and knives. Reports also show that those arrested had gone through torture at the hands of the Bangladesh Army before being formally turned over to the police. According to the Global Association of Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hills Tract rejects the legality of this arrest and debunks claims that those arrested are insurgents. It is believed that this orchestrated operations are done to secure promotions for high-ranking military officials and receive UN peacemaking assignments. Regardless of affiliation, both the UPDF and PCJSS are not banned organizations and operate in the legal sphere. The PCJSS who has fought for national liberation in the past decades has since returned to legal-parliamentary struggle since the signing of the CHT peace accord. These attacks however show the lack of sincerity from the Bangladeshi government to genuinely implement the accord, and a clear treachery of Indigenous Peoples confidence and trust. If the government is serious about peace, it must show so through its actions. The IPMSDL is outraged to learn about this news, and thus demands the immediate release of all those arrested in the June 19 & 20 operations. Likewise we support the call to urgently hold accountable the military officials responsible for the arrest and torture of Indigenous Peoples.
