Aid flights suspended in Merka

Relief flights to Merka, Lower Shebelle, have been suspended after an ECHO plane was shot at while landing last Thursday. The bullet hit the left flap near the fuel tank, humanitarian sources told IRIN. Although the man responsible for the shooting was identified, there was no subsequent arrest, leading to the suspension of aid flights to the coastal town. A UN source said that all aid flights to Merka had been suspended in sympathy with ECHO as, despite promises of action, elders had produced no reason as to why the shooting had taken place or followed up with any disciplinary action. Merka is one of the few Somali towns which has regular aid and commercial flights. Before the shooting incident, there were approximately four UN flights a day, as well as ECHO and commercial flights.