UN Helicopter Carrying 8 Shot Down by Rebels in Congo’s East

A United Nations (UN) helicopter, operated by the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Central African Rrepiblic (MINUSCA) staff which is flown for short distances due to the threat of explosive devices, lands in Paoua, on Dec. 2, 2021. Barbara Debout/AFP via Getty Images

DAKAR, Senegal—Congo’s army says rebels in the country’s east have shot down a United Nations helicopter carrying eight peacekeepers and U.N. observers.

The helicopter shot Monday was among two carrying out reconnaissance for the U.N. mission in Congo, according to a statement from Congo’s army on Tuesday. Those on the helicopter were assessing the movements of communities that had been attacked by a rebel group in order to coordinate humanitarian assistance.