Ethiopia admits "mistakenly" killed humanitarian flight in Somalia

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Ethiopia admits to shooting down a Kenyan plane carrying humanitarian aid in southwest Somalia. The crash took place at the start of last week and the six passengers, Kenyan and Somali, died. Ethiopian authorities speak of an error in a statement to the African Union.

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From our correspondent in Nairobi,  Charlotte Simonart

It was a private plane from African Express Airways. On board was humanitarian and medical equipment to assist Somalia in its fight against the coronavirus. The crash took place last Monday, when the plane was to land not far from the Bardale military camp, in the south-west of the country. Kenyan and Somali authorities have since been investigating this suspicious drama, which has fueled tensions between the two neighbors.

Ethiopia finally admits to being responsible for the "  incident  ", in its own words, the result of a communication error by its troops on the ground. The Ethiopian army is indeed deployed in the region to secure the Bardale military camp against the attacks of the terrorist group of the shebabs.

Ethiopia defends its men. "  The plane had an unusual behavior, flying at low altitude, as if it were looking for a target to commit a suicide attack,  " said the authorities. Ethiopia says it is ready to collaborate with Kenya and Somalia to shed light on this affair.

► Read also: Covid-19: plane crash carrying medical equipment in Somalia

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• Kenya
• Somalia
• Ethiopia
• Coronavirus
• Health and Medicine
• African Union

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