FAA bans US flights in Somalia under FL260

Under a notam issued as an emergency order of the Administrator of the FAA under 49 USC 40113(A) and 46105(C), all US air carriers and commercial operators have been banned from flying at an altitude under FL260 (26,000ft) in Somali airspace. The area has been declared a no-go zone owing to the threat of terrorist and military attack. Militant groups are known to have used anti-aircraft weapons which have the potential to target aircraft at higher altitudes on approach and departure. Information on the background of the situation in Somalia from the FAA indicates that the terrorist group al-Shabaab shot down a Transaviaexport IL76 on take-off from Mogadishu using MANPADS in March 2007 killing all 7 crew and four passengers on board. They have also conducted a number of attacks on Mogadishu International Airport, the most recent in December 2014, killing three African peacekeepers and a civilian contractor.
Further information from the FAA states, “Attacks against aircraft in-flight or Somali airports can occur with little or no warning.” The FAA says that it is this, plus the level of civil unrest that formed the basis for the ban which was officially issued on May 12th. Currently the FAA have issued warnings and or restrictions for commercial operators and US carriers operating in airspace in the following additional countries: Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, North Korea, South Korea, Libya, Mali, Republic of South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen.