UN helicopter with 'several' foreigners onboard captured by al Shabaab in Somalia

Terrorists of al Shabaab, linked to al Qaeda, captured two Somali men and several foreigners when a United Nations helicopter, in which they were travelling, made an emergency landing in an area controlled by the Islamist group.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) confirmed there had been an incident involving a UN-contracted helicopter that was conducting an air medical evaluation.

UNSOM further said it was gathering information about what happened and response efforts were under way.

Meanwhile, a report from Reuters quoted Major Hassan Ali saying the aircraft encountered a defect shortly after taking off from Beledweyne city in central Somalia. It then landed near Hindhere village, bordering Galguduud region.

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"Two Somali men and several foreigners were onboard. It was also carrying medical supplies and it was supposed to transport injured soldiers from Galguduud region," Major Hasan Ali said.

According to a UN worker who wished to remain anonymous, the aircraft crew included five foreigners.

Reuters cited two UN sources familiar with the matter saying that the aircraft had nine passengers on board.

Al Shabaab has been waging an insurgency against the Somali government since 2006 in a bid to establish its own rule based on a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

While the government has managed to ward off the terrorists from several territories since the mid-2010s, al Shabaab controls swathes of land in southern and central Somalia and has continued to target civilians and stage attacks on military establishments.

With inputs from Reuters