Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NAIROBI1134
2007-03-09 10:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
AMISOM Equipment Plane Afire on Mogadishu Landing
how-toVZCZCXRO0820 OO RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #1134 0681030 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091030Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8137 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE RHMFISS/CJTF HOA RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001134
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: AMISOM Equipment Plane Afire on Mogadishu Landing
Classified by PolOff John O'Leary. Reason 1.4 (b) & (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001134
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: AMISOM Equipment Plane Afire on Mogadishu Landing
Classified by PolOff John O'Leary. Reason 1.4 (b) & (d).
1. (U) A cargo plane carrying military equipment for
Uganda's AMISOM contingent reportedly landed while on fire
at Mogadishu International Airport this morning, March 9.
According to the African Union's representative in Nairobi,
who was in contact with Ethiopian and Ugandan military
officers at the Mogadishu airport, the crew escaped without
injury and the cargo was undamaged.
2. (C) According to the AU representative, the pilot
believed that the plane had been hit by a "missile" fired
from the direction of the sea. A press source in Mogadishu
confirmed the fire on the plane and stated that the
Mogadishu media have received calls from individuals
claiming that they or their groups fired one or more
surface-to-air missiles at the aircraft. At this time,
however, there is nothing to corroborate these claims; and,
according to an Ethiopian officer on the scene, officials
believe the incident resulted from mechanical failure on
landing or just prior to landing. According to the press
source, the crew has been instructed not to talk to the
media.
3. (U) The Ethiopian officer stated that officials have
established a nine-member commission composed of Ugandan,
Ethiopian, and Somali TFG representatives to investigate
the incident.
4. (U) The plane reportedly is a Russian Ilyushin-76
four-engine jet aircraft rented by Jubba Airlines from one
of the former Soviet republics. According to the press
source in Mogadishu, Jubba has a sub-contract to ferry
Ugandan equipment from Entebbe to Mogadishu.
Ranneberger
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/S FRAZER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2017
TAGS: PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: AMISOM Equipment Plane Afire on Mogadishu Landing
Classified by PolOff John O'Leary. Reason 1.4 (b) & (d).
1. (U) A cargo plane carrying military equipment for
Uganda's AMISOM contingent reportedly landed while on fire
at Mogadishu International Airport this morning, March 9.
According to the African Union's representative in Nairobi,
who was in contact with Ethiopian and Ugandan military
officers at the Mogadishu airport, the crew escaped without
injury and the cargo was undamaged.
2. (C) According to the AU representative, the pilot
believed that the plane had been hit by a "missile" fired
from the direction of the sea. A press source in Mogadishu
confirmed the fire on the plane and stated that the
Mogadishu media have received calls from individuals
claiming that they or their groups fired one or more
surface-to-air missiles at the aircraft. At this time,
however, there is nothing to corroborate these claims; and,
according to an Ethiopian officer on the scene, officials
believe the incident resulted from mechanical failure on
landing or just prior to landing. According to the press
source, the crew has been instructed not to talk to the
media.
3. (U) The Ethiopian officer stated that officials have
established a nine-member commission composed of Ugandan,
Ethiopian, and Somali TFG representatives to investigate
the incident.
4. (U) The plane reportedly is a Russian Ilyushin-76
four-engine jet aircraft rented by Jubba Airlines from one
of the former Soviet republics. According to the press
source in Mogadishu, Jubba has a sub-contract to ferry
Ugandan equipment from Entebbe to Mogadishu.
Ranneberger