Somalia Offers Condolences after Qatar Military Helicopter Crash Kills Seven

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The Federal Government of Somalia has expressed condolences to Qatar and Turkey following a military helicopter crash that killed seven people in Qatari territorial waters.

Qatari authorities said the helicopter went down on Sunday due to a technical malfunction during a training exercise. All seven people on board were killed, including four Qatari military personnel, one Turkish serviceman and two technicians from Aselsan.

The aircraft was operating as part of joint activities under the Qatar-Turkey defence cooperation framework, which includes a Turkish military presence in Qatar under a 2014 agreement.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash, officials said.

In a statement, Somalia conveyed its “deepest condolences and sincere sympathy” to the governments and people of both countries, as well as to the families of the victims.

The government described the incident as a tragic loss and reaffirmed its solidarity with Qatar and Turkey during the mourning period.

The crash comes amid heightened regional tensions in the Gulf, where security concerns have been elevated following recent military exchanges involving Iran and its regional adversaries.