The helicopter belonged to AUSSOM, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. AUSSOM was established in 2015 as a “peacekeeping” force to help Somalia combat Al-Shabaab.

The incident occurred near the Hawaadley area, one of several regions in Middle Shabelle and Hiran that the terrorists have taken over in recent months. In these areas, they have raised the Tawheed flag and imposed Sharia law.