Somalia Pulls Plug on Drones Near Mogadishu Airport Due to Al-Shabaab Threat
MOGADISHU, Somalia – Worried about potential trouble stirred by Al-Shabaab, the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) slammed the brakes on drone operations within a stone’s throw—9 kilometers—of Aden Adde International Airport (a.k.a. Mogadishu Airport). Fingers pointed at caution, given the militants’ pesky attacks.
The move aims to keep this bustling air hub—Somalia’s top dog in airports—safe from sinister plots. It’s no secret that Mogadishu Airport stands as a key player in the Horn of Africa.
Areas like Hodan, Hamar Weyne, Waberi, and patches of Madina and Boondheere hit the brakes thanks to this restriction, putting a crimp in regions brimming with crowds and heavyweights like Mogadishu University and Banadir Hospital. Talk about disruption in high places!
Already in full swing, this mandate calls the shots until December. That’s when the aviation brain trust will crunch the data and issue further wisdom, according to an official nod in the NOTAM.
“Without a special thumbs-up from the Somali Civil Aviation Authority, unmanned flight crews better avoid a 5 NM radius around HCMM ARP,” the notice blurted out.
The aviation squad didn’t mince words in stressing strict obedience to the new rules, with telltale warnings that rule-breakers face legal heat. This clampdown’s all about heading off any UAS threats, keeping the skies unruffled and trouble-free.
“Breaking these rules ain’t gonna fly, with legal smackdowns waiting in the wings,” an SCAA mouthpiece chimed in.
Humanitarian missions and military exercises frequently use Aden Adde International Airport, not just your everyday commercial airlines. Over the past ten years, Al-Shabaab hasn’t missed a beat in plotting attacks on this government stronghold.
AXADLETM
