Somali Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) has prohibited drone use within 5 nautical miles of Adan Abdulle International Airport in all directions, except for drones with the authority’s permission. The ban is aimed at safeguarding civil aviation and ensuring passengers and airport personnel are safe at the airport, a hub for domestic and international traffic.

The decision to impose the ban is closely linked to reports that the militant group Al-Shabaab tried to deploy drones for its operations.

Al-Shabaab, which has been waging an insurgency against the Somali government and its allies since 2006, has increasingly adapted its tactics to include the use of advanced technology, including UAVs. The group’s potential use of drones represents a serious threat, as they can be employed for surveillance and,, in some cases, as delivery systems for explosives.