Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07NAIROBI1198
2007-03-14 14:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:
AMISOM Plane Fire--Update
how-toVZCZCXRO5194 RR RUEHDE RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHNR #1198 0731431 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141431Z MAR 07 FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8252 INFO RUCNSOM/SOMALIA COLLECTIVE RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001198
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/F FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: AMISOM Plane Fire--Update
REF: Nairobi 1134
UNCLAS NAIROBI 001198
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/F FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: AMISOM Plane Fire--Update
REF: Nairobi 1134
1. Per reftel, an IL-76 cargo plane ferrying equipment
for the Ugandan army's AMISOM mission caught fire while
landing in Mogadishu on Friday, March 9. Numerous press
reports indicate--alternately--that the IL-76 was hit by
a "missile" or rocket propelled grenade (RPG) or that it
experienced mechanical/structural difficulties during the
landing procedure. Somali insurgents with ties to al-
Qaida claim that they attacked and hit the plane.
2. The plane's contractor reportedly stated that the IL-
76 was indeed hit by an RPG.
3. On the other hand, AMISOM and the Somali Transitional
Federal Government stated that the problem was probably
mechanical/structural but are continuing to investigate.
4. Pending further evidence one way or the other, the
question of what actually occurred during the aircraft's
landing maneuvers remains open.
5. Embassy Kampala has cleared this message.
Ranneberger
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND A/F FRAZER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR PTER ASEC MOPS SO ET UG
SUBJECT: AMISOM Plane Fire--Update
REF: Nairobi 1134
1. Per reftel, an IL-76 cargo plane ferrying equipment
for the Ugandan army's AMISOM mission caught fire while
landing in Mogadishu on Friday, March 9. Numerous press
reports indicate--alternately--that the IL-76 was hit by
a "missile" or rocket propelled grenade (RPG) or that it
experienced mechanical/structural difficulties during the
landing procedure. Somali insurgents with ties to al-
Qaida claim that they attacked and hit the plane.
2. The plane's contractor reportedly stated that the IL-
76 was indeed hit by an RPG.
3. On the other hand, AMISOM and the Somali Transitional
Federal Government stated that the problem was probably
mechanical/structural but are continuing to investigate.
4. Pending further evidence one way or the other, the
question of what actually occurred during the aircraft's
landing maneuvers remains open.
5. Embassy Kampala has cleared this message.
Ranneberger