War in Somalia (2006–present)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=War in Somalia (2006–present)
partof=the Somali Civil War and War on Terrorism
date=July 20, 2006 – ongoing


caption=Situation of the war in Somalia August 28th 2008.
place=Southern Somalia
result=Ongoing Conflict
* Overthrow of ICU government in Mogadishu.
* Transitional Federal Government establishes control over Mogadishu and southern Somalia
* Ethiopian troops are deployed in southern Somalia
* Emergence of Islamist insurgency by PRM
* Inter-clan fighting resumes, so far, to a limited degree.
combatant1=
Alleged:
flagcountry|Eritrea
combatant2=flagcountry|Ethiopia flagicon|Somalia Somalia:
*flagicon|Somalia Transitional Federal Government
*flagicon|African Union AMISOM:
*flagicon|Uganda Uganda
*flagicon|Burundi Burundiflagicon|United States United States (aerial strikes and naval patrols)
flagicon|Kenya Kenya (border clashes)

commander1= KIA
commander2=flagicon|Ethiopia Gabre Heard
flagicon|Somalia Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed flagicon|Somalia Mohamed Omar Habeb flagicon|Somalia Abdi Hasan Awale flagicon|United States Patrick M. Walsh
strength1=8,000 ICU militants Alleged forces:cite news
title =Fighting erupts in northern Somalia as peace talks falter, says Islamic official
publisher =International Herald Tribune, Associated Press
date =2006-11-06
url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/06/news/BC_AF_GEN_Somalia.php
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]
3,000, 4,000 or 8,000 foreign militants cite news
title =Somali prime minister says government is surrounded
publisher =Associated Press
date =2006-11-06
url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/12/africa/AF_GEN_Somalia.php
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]
2,000 Eritreans
strength2=Somalia:
Ethiopia:3,000-4,000
AMISOM: 1,600 (since March; goal of 8,000)
accessdate = 2007-01-05
casualties1=8,000 killedcite news
first =David
last =Ignatius
title =Ethiopia's Iraq
publisher =Washington Post
date =2007-05-13
url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/11/AR2007051102114.html
accessdate =2007-05-16 |] 5,000 wounded (Ethiopian claim)cite news
title =Ethiopian army accomplished 75% of mission in Somalia - Zenawi
publisher =Sudan Tribune
date =2006-12-29
url =http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article19495
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] [ cite news
title =Ethiopian PM says Somalia's Islamists have suffered thousands of casualties
publisher =International Herald Tribune, Associated Press
date =2006-12-26
url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/26/africa/AF_GEN_Ethiopia_Somalia.php
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]
casualties2=Ethiopia:
~1,090 killed
Somalia (TFG):
500 killedFact|date=September 2008
Uganda:
8 killed
Kenya:
6 killed
Burundi:
1 killed
casualties3=Civilian casualties: 9,474 dead [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/AMMF-7JJCSY?OpenDocument]
1.9 million displaced
(see Casualties section)

The War in Somalia is an ongoing armed conflict involving largely Ethiopian and Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces versus the Somali Islamist umbrella group, the Islamic Court Union (ICU), and other affiliated militias for control of the country. The war officially began shortly before July 20, 2006 when the U.S. backed Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia to prop up the TFG in Baidoa ["Somalian Islamists Demand Ethiopian Troops Withdraw" 20 July 2006, Dow Jones International News] . Subsequently the leader of the ICU, Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys, declared "Somalia is in a state of war, and all Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia".cite news
first=Bonny
last=Apunyu
title =Carnage as Somalia 'in state of war'
publisher =CNN
date =2006-12-22
url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/12/21/somalia.fighting.ap/index.html?eref=rss_world
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] On December 24, Ethiopia stated it would actively combat the ICU. cite news
title =Ethiopian prime minister says his country is at war with Islamists in Somalia
publisher =International Herald Tribune, Associated Press
date =2006-12-24
url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/24/africa/AF_GEN_Ethiopia_Somalia.php
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]

Ethiopia's prime minister, Meles Zenawi, said Ethiopia entered hostilities because it faced a direct threat to its own borders. “Ethiopian defense forces were forced to enter into war to protect the sovereignty of the nation,” he said. “We are not trying to set up a government for Somalia, nor do we have an intention to meddle in Somalia's internal affairs. We have only been forced by the circumstances.”cite news
title=Ethiopia launches open war in Somalia
url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061225/news_7n25somalia.html
publisher=New York Times
date=2006-12-26
accessdate=2007-01-17 ]

The ICU, which controlled the coastal areas of southern Somalia, engaged in fighting with the forces of the Somali TFG, and the autonomous regional governments of Puntland and Galmudug, all of whom were backed by Ethiopian troops. The outbreak of heavy fighting began on December 20 with the Battle of Baidoa, after the lapse of a one-week deadline the ICU imposed on Ethiopia (on December 12) to withdraw from the nation. cite news
first=Mustafa Haji
last=Abdinur
title =Somali Islamists give Ethiopia one-week deadline to withdraw troops
publisher =Agence France Presse
date =2006-12-23
url =http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/VBOL-6WEFKC?OpenDocument
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] Ethiopia, however, refused to abandon its positions around the TFG interim capital at Baidoa. On December 29, after several successful battles, TFG and Ethiopian troops entered Mogadishu relatively unopposed. The UN also stated that many Arab nations including Libya and Egypt were also supporting the ICU via Eritrea. Although not announced until later, a small number of U.S. special forces troops accompanied Ethiopian and TFG troops after the collapse and withdrawal of the ICU to give military advice and to track suspected al-Qaida fighters.cite news |title=Al-Qaida suspects still alive in Somalia |url=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/somalia |publisher=AP |date=January 11, 2007 |accessdate=2007-01-11] Both American support for the TFG and various Arab Nations' support for the ICU were isolated cases from the central motive of the war between the allied Ethiopian & Somali government forces and the allied ICU & Eritrean forces.

As of January 2007, Ethiopia said it would withdraw "within a few weeks" [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jan/03/mainsection.international14 Ethiopian troops to leave Somalia 'within weeks' | World news | The Guardian ] ] but the TFG, US and UN officials oppose Ethiopian withdrawal because it would create a "security vacuum," while the ICU has demanded immediate Ethiopian withdrawal. [ [http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080602/wl_africa_afp/somaliaunresttalksdjiboutiun_080602190413 disputes with Ethiopian withdrawal from Somalia] ]

The two sides had traded war declarations and gun fire on several occasions before. Eastern African countries and international observers fear the Ethiopian offensive may lead to a regional war, involving Eritrea, a long-time enemy of Ethiopia, who Ethiopia claims to be a supporter of the ICU. [cite press release
title =Somalia Conflict Risk Alert
publisher =International Crisis Group
date =2006-11-27
url =http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?id=4520&l=1&m=1
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]

Forces involved

The scope of forces involved are difficult to calculate because of many factors, including lack of formal organization or record-keeping, and claims which remained masked by disinformation. Ethiopia for months leading up to the war maintained it had only a few hundred advisors in the country. Yet independent reports indicated far more troops. According to the BBC, "The United Nations estimated that at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country while the AP suggests the number closer to 12-15,000, [cite news | title =Remnants of Somalia Islamists still pose a threat - official | publisher =Associated Press | date =2007-01-04 | url=http://www.dehai.org/archives/dehai_news_archive/0090.html | accessdate = 2007-01-04 ] while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group." cite news
title =Ethiopia warns Somali Islamists
publisher =BBC
date =2006-12-22
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6204695.stm
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] Ethiopia only admitted to 3,000–4,000 being involved,cite news,8,000(UN)
title =Islamic threats follow Ethiopian troop advancement in Somalia
publisher =USA Today
date =2006-12-22
url =http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-12-26-somalia-ethiopia_x.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] though the ICU claimed the Ethiopians had 30,000 troops,cite news
first=Hassan
last=Yare
title =Troops dig in as Somalia war fears grow
publisher =Relief Web, Reuters
date =2006-12-13
url =http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/VBOL-6WFHXW?OpenDocument&RSS20=02-P
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] while Eritrea denies having any troops in Somalia. [cite news
first=Hassan
last=Yare
title =Ethiopia says forced into war with Somali Islamists
publisher =Reuters, Yahoo!
date =2006-12-24
url =http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061224/wl_nm/somalia_conflict_dc_30
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] In addition, the TFG alleged there were up to 8,000 foreign mujahideen fighting on behalf of the ICU, based on the ICU's worldwide appeal for Muslim mujahideen to come fight for their cause.cite news
first=Guled
last=Mohamed
title =Ethiopian jets strike Somali airports
publisher =Reuters
date =2006-12-25
url =http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L25477410.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] Somali government troops and allied militias are estimated to be roughly 10,000. [cite news
title=Somalia 'needs peace force soon'
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6233159.stm
publisher=BBC
date=2007-01-05
accessdate=2007-01-17 ]

Background

Historic background

Wars between Somalia, or its precursor Islamic states, and Ethiopia, stretch back to 16th century. For example, Ahmad ibn Ibrihim al-Ghazi was a 16th century Islamic leader popular in Somali culture for his jihad against the Ethiopians during the rise of the Adal Sultanate. The painful living history, oral and cultural traditions, long-standing ethnic divisions and sectarian differences lay a foundation of conflict between the two nations.

More recently, boundary disputes over the Ogaden region date to the 1948 settlement when the land was granted to Ethiopia. Somali disgruntlement with this decision has led to repeated attempts to invade Ethiopia with the hopes of taking control of the Ogaden to create a Greater Somalia. This plan would have reunited the Somali people of the Ethiopian-controlled Ogaden with those living in the Republic of Somalia. These ethnic and political tensions have caused cross-border clashes over the years.

* 1960–1964 Border Dispute
* 1977–1978 Ogaden War
* 1982 August Border Clash cite web
last =Chick
first =Court
coauthors =Albert Grandolini
title =Somalia, 1980–1996
work =Central, eastern, and southern Africa database
publisher = onwar.com
date =2003-09-02
url =http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_191.shtml
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ] cite web
title =Ethiopian-Somalian Border Clash 1982
work =Wars of the World
publisher = onwar.com
date =2000-12-16
url =http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/sat/somalia/fethiopiasomalia1982.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]
* 1998–2000 Cross-border warfare during the chaotic warlord-led era.cite web
title =Somalia: Ethiopia Denies Troop Incursion Allegations
publisher = University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center
date = 1999-04-12
url =http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/irin_41399a.html
accessdate = 2007-01-15 ]

While it is true the ICU made threats to carry the war into Ethiopia, the circumstances referred to were in part due to prior Ethiopian actions in response to historical conflicts in the region. Before proxy wars between Ethiopia and Eritrea began in the late 1990s, ICU was helping rebels inside Eastern Ethiopia against the Ethiopian government. Thus Ethiopia's involvement in Somalia had begun months before, with the intercession of forces to support the establishment of the transitional government, and to support other regional governments considered more acceptable to Ethiopia so that ICU won't be able to support more insurgents inside Eastern Ethiopia.cite news
title=An Interim Agreement Gives Islamists an Edge in Somalia
url=http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=550&language_id=1
date=2006-09-07
publisher=PINR
accessdate=2007-01-17 ]

Information Warfare, Disinformation and Propaganda

Even before the beginning of the war, there have been significant assertions and accusations of the use of disinformation and propaganda tactics by various parties to shape the causes and course of the conflict. This includes assertions of falsification of the presence or number of forces involved, exaggeration or minimization of the casualties inflicted or taken, influence or control of media outlets (or shutting them down), and other informational means and media to sway popular support and international opinion.

Prelude to the War

Ethiopian troops moved into Somalian territory on July 20, 2006.cite news
title =Ethiopian Troops Enter Somalia to Resist Islamic Militia
publisher = PBS
date =2006-07-20
url =http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/africa/july-dec06/somalia_07-20.html
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]

On August 1, 2006, the ICU sent technicals out towards the Ethiopian border north of Beledweyne. Ethiopian troops were reportedly sent across the border to stop the ICU's advance.cite news
title =Conflict in Somalia Moves Toward Confrontation
publisher = Somaliland Times
date =2006-08-02
url =http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2005/237/3.shtml
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]

On October 9, it was reported Ethiopian troops seized Burhakaba.cite news
title =Ethiopian Troops Seize Strategic Town In Somalia
publisher =Somaliland Times
date =October 9 2006
url =http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2005/247/140.shtml
accessdate =2007-01-05 ] Another article seemed to indicate the Ethiopian control was a troop convoy passing through. Islamists claim the town reverted to their control after the Ethiopians departed. SomaliNet reports the elders asked the government to leave in order to avoid bloodshed in their town. The article said it was government troops, and not Ethiopians who had come to the town.cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title =Somalis vow holy war on Ethiopia
work =EthioBlog
publisher =Nazret.com
date =2006-10-09
url =http://nazret.com/blog/index.php?title=somalis_vow_holy_war_on_ethiopia_again&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1
format =
doi =
accessdate = ] cite news
first=Mohamed Abdi
last=Farah
title =Islamists retake Burhakaba town after hours of government occupation
publisher =Somalinet
date =2006-10-09
url =http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/English/4179
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]

An Ethiopian column of 80 vehicles was hit by landmines and then attacked with gunfire by a group of about 50 troops loyal to the ICU on November 19, 2006 near Berdaale, 30 miles (50 km) west of Baidoa. Six Ethiopians were reported killed in the attack. Two Ethiopian trucks burned and two were overturned. [http://www.stratfor.com/products/premium/read_article.php?id=280869 Ethiopia and Somalia: In Denial] , Stratfor.] cite news
title =Ethiopian convoy 'attacked' in Somalia
publisher =AAP
date =2006-11-20
url =http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=163945
accessdate =2007-01-06 ] cite news
title =Witnesses: 6 Ethiopian soldiers killed in ambush by Somalia's Islamic fighters
publisher =International Herald Tribune, Associated Press
date =2006-11-19
url =http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/11/19/africa/AF_GEN_Somalia.php
accessdate =2007-01-06 ]

An exchange of mortar shells between Islamic Courts Union and Ethiopian forces occurred in Galkayo, on November 28, 2006, with both Islamists and Ethiopian forces facing off. Ethiopian and Islamist forces in Galkayo, central Somalia, were less than 5 kilometers away from one another. [ cite news
title =Somalia: Islamists And Ethiopian Troops Exchange Mortar Shells in Galkayo
publisher =Shabelle Media Network
date =2006-11-28
url =http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne1778.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-07 ]

On November 30, an Ethiopian military convoy in Somalia was ambushed by fighters loyal to the Islamic Courts Union. Eyewitnesses said a truck was blown up and there was an exchange of fire. The ICU claim 20 soldiers died. [cite news
title =Islamists 'ambush' Ethiopia truck
publisher =BBC
date =2006-11-30
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6159059.stm
accessdate =2007-01-06 ] Ethiopia's parliament voted the same day to authorize the government take "all necessary" steps to rebuff any potential invasion by Somalia's Islamists.cite news
first=Tsegaye
last=Tadesse
title =Ethiopia votes to "stave off" Somali Islamist threat
publisher =Reuters
date =2006-11-30
url =http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2006-11-30T120035Z_01_L30698192_RTRUKOC_0_US-SOMALIA-ETHIOPIA.xml&WTmodLoc=Home-C5-worldNews-4
accessdate =2007-01-06 ]

On December 8, 2006, fighters from Somalia's Islamic Courts Union clashed with Somalian government forces, allegedly in cooperation with Ethiopian troops. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, head of the Islamic Courts, told a crowd in Mogadishu that fighting had started in Dinsor in the south, and called on all Somalis to "stand up and defeat the enemies". [cite news
title ='Heavy fighting' in Somali town
publisher =BBC
date =2006-12-08
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6162199.stm
accessdate =2007-01-06 ] Another official said Ethiopian troops had shelled the town of Bandiradley. The Deputy Defence Minister of the Somali government, Salat Ali Jelle, confirmed the fighting but denied any Ethiopian troops were involved. The Ethiopian government has denied repeated claims that its troops are fighting alongside Somali government militia.

Witnesses in Dagaari village near Bandiradley said that they saw hundreds of Ethiopian troops and tanks take up positions near the town with militiamen from the northeastern semi-autonomous region of Puntland. [cite news
title =Fresh fighting erupts in Somalia
publisher =Al Jazeera
date =2006-12-08
url =http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A7609FD0-D750-41AB-B85C-08786296486E.htm
accessdate =2007-01-06 ]

On December 9, fighters from Somalia's Islamic Courts and government soldiers clashed in a second day of fighting. The fighting occurred 40 kilometers from the interim government's headquarters in Baidoa. Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal, an Islamic Courts official, said that the government had launched a counterattack at Rama'addey village, while Ali Mohamed Gedi, the prime minister, claimed that Islamic Courts fighters had attacked government positions. [cite news
title =Fighting continues in Somalia
publisher =Al Jazeera
date =2006-12-09
url =http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FB51D5C1-1C6B-4B1C-8491-E97A1AB88411.htm
accessdate =2007-01-06 ]

On December 13, a Reuters report said that the ICU claimed 30,000 Ethiopian troops were involved in Somalia, while 4,000 foreign fighters were involved on the side of the ICU. Ethiopia denied having troops other than "military advisors" present.

Timeline

December 2006

On December 20, major fighting broke out around the TFG capital of Baidoa. Thirteen trucks filled with Ethiopian reinforcements were reported en route to the fighting. Leaders of both groups briefly kept an option open for peace talks brokered by the EU. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L20540919.htm Somali Islamist downplays war fears amid clashes] Reuters]

On December 22, nearly 20 Ethiopian tanks headed toward the front line. According to government sources Ethiopia had 20 T-55 tanks and four attack helicopters in Baidoa. [http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L22886890.htm Ethiopian tanks roll in Somali battle's fourth day] ]

On December 23, Ethiopian tanks and further reinforcements arrived in Daynuunay, 30 kilometres east of Baidoa; prompting ICU forces to vow all-out war despite a commitment to an EU-brokered peace. Heavy fighting continued in Lidale and Dinsoor. [http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/061222220311.i90y0vye.html Ethiopian tanks move into battle with Somalia Islamists] AFP ]

On December 24, Ethiopia admitted its troops were fighting the Islamists, after stating earlier in the week it had only sent several hundredmilitary advisors to Baidoa. Heavy fighting erupted in border areas, with reports of air strikes and shelling, including targets near the ICU-held town of Beledweyne. According to Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu: "The Ethiopian government has taken self-defensive measures and started counter-attacking the aggressive extremist forces of the Islamic Courts and foreign terrorist groups."cite news
title =Ethiopia admits Somalia offensive
publisher =BBC
date =2006-12-24
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6207427.stm
accessdate = 2007-01-17 ]

On December 25, Ethiopian and Somali forces coptured Beledweyne. Defending ICU forces fled Beledweyne concurrent to Ethiopian airstrikes against the Mogadishu and Bali-Dogle airports. Heavy fighting was also reported in Burhakaba. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6208549.stm Ethiopia attacks Somalia airports] BBC News ] On December 26, the ICU was in retreat on all fronts, losing much of the territory they gained in the months preceding the Ethiopian intervention. They reportedly fell back to Daynuunay and Mogadishu. [http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/12/26/somalia.ap/index.html Islamic forces retreat in Somalia] CNN ]

On December 27, Ethiopian and Somali government forces were en route to Somalia's capital, Mogadishu after capturing the strategic town of Jowhar, 90km north from the capital. The ICU were in control of little more than the coast, abandoning many towns without putting up a fight. Also, the UIC top two commanders, defense chief Yusuf Mohammed Siad Inda'ade and his deputy Abu Mansur were away on the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6211573.stm Ethiopians nearing Somali capital] BBC News ]

After the Fall of Mogadishu to the Ethiopian and government forces on December 28, fighting continued in the Juba River valley, where the ICU retreated, establishing a new headquarters in the city of Kismayo. Intense fighting was reported on December 31 in the Battle of Jilib and the ICU frontlines collapsed during the night to artillery fire, causing the ICU to once again go into retreat, abandoning Kismayo, without a fight and retreating towards the Kenyan border.cite news
first= Mohamed Abdi
last= Farah
title=Somalia: Islamists lost their last strongholds
publisher=SomaliNet
date = 2007-01-01
url=http://somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/6324
accessdate = 2007-01-01 ]

2007

Military events in January 2007 focused on the southern section of Somalia, primarily the withdrawal of ICU forces from Kismayo, and their pursuit using Ethiopian air strikes in Afmadow district concurrent to the Battle of Ras Kamboni. During this battle, the U.S. launched an airstrike conducted by an AC-130 gunship against suspected Al-Qaeda operatives. A second airstrike was made after the battle later in January 2007.cite news
title=Military Official Reports Second US Air Strike in Somalia
url=http://voanews.com/english/2007-01-24-voa67.cfm
publisher=Voice of America
date=2007-01-24
accessdate=2007-02-06]

Within a week of the TFG and Ethiopian army’s arrival in Mogadishu, the first insurgent attacks began. Ethiopian and TFG forces responded by sealing off areas around the attack sites and conducting house-to-house searches. The TFG also passed a three-month emergency law in parliament and called for a disarmament of the militias on January 13, 2007. The provisions of the emergency law gave the TFG much wider powers and allowed President Yusuf to rule by decree.

Between January and March 2007, insurgent attacks took several forms: assassinations of government officials; attacks on military convoys; and rocket-propelled grenade or mortar attacks on police stations, TFG and Ethiopian military bases, or other locations or individuals deemed by the insurgency to be political or military targets. For instance, several hotels known to accommodate TFG officials, such as the Ambassador, Global, and Lafweyne Hotels, were repeatedly hit with RPGs and mortar rounds and were the site of attempted assassinations of TFG officials. [http://hrw.org/reports/2007/somalia0807/4.htm#_ftnref107 Somalia: Shell-Shocked: Civilians Under Siege in Mogadishu: IV. Mogadishu Under Siege: January–April 2007 ] ]

The insurgency was mobile, often using hit-and-run tactics in its attacks or setting up and launching mortar rounds within minutes, then melting back into the civilian population. After an insurgent attack on a convoy or other mobile target, Ethiopian and TFG forces typically sealed off the area and conducted house-to-house searches of the area. The Ethiopian and TFG response to mortar attacks increasingly included the return firing of mortars and rockets in the direction of origin of insurgency fire. In the beginning of March, the first 1,500 African Union Mission to Somalia soldiers begun arriving in Somalia.

By the end of March, the fighting intensified in Mogadishu and more than a thousand people, mostly civilians, were killed. Hawiye clan militiamen allied with the Islamists clashed with TFG and Ethiopian troops.

After the end of that battle in April in which heavy weapons were used and turned parts of Mogadishu into ashes, the allied forces of Somalia and Ethiopia were said to have won over the local insurgents. Since May 2007 it has been increasingly apparent that the March and April fighting did not stem the insurgency. The insurgents started a low level but very effective violence campaign including suicide bombings, hit and run missions and hunting high-profile government officials. [ [http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/10921 Latest News - SomaliNet ] ]

In December 2007, the Ethiopian troops withdrew from the town of Guriel, and the Islamists controlled Guriel after that. Ethiopia had a big military base there to secure the road linking the two countries. [cite news | title =Ethiopia leaves key Somali town| publisher =BBC| date=December 28 2007| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7162957.stm | accessdate=2007-12-28]

By the end of December 2007, the ICU forces had taken control of about half of the port city of Kismayo, around half the districts of Mogadishu, and totalling around 80% of their former territories, leaving the Ethopiean-backed regime in the same precarious situation as it was in Baidoa at the start of 2007. [ [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/70C40F0B-95D1-43F4-A5F6-963241DA7C89.htm Somalia says rebels regrouping] ]

2008

A report by AU Commission Chairman Alpha Konare on 18 January claimed that forces opposed to the Somali government have expanded their insurgent activities to areas that were previously peaceful and could be planning attacks in the Middle and Lower Juba regions. Armed elements, it added, were also reported to be using the Lower Shabelle region to ferry arms. [ [http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/14368 Latest News - SomaliNet ] ]

In February 2008, the Insurgents captured the town of Dinsoor after probing it several times. This marked a change in their strategy which previously focused mainly on the capital Mogadishu. [ [http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/14166 Latest News - SomaliNet ] ] [ [http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_al-Shabaab_reenter_Dinsor_threaten_to_attack_Baidoa.shtml al-Shabaab reenter Dinsor, threaten to attack Baidoa] on Garoweonline accessed at March 19 2008] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7262415.stm BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Somali town overrun by Islamists ] ] . In late May after capturing the two towns near Kismayo. [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200805190036.html allAfrica.com: Somalia: Somali Rebels Seize Two More Towns (Page 1 of 1) ] ] The Insurgents agreed not to attack Kismayo a city ruled by clan milita who took part in the Ethiopian invasion. They agreed to pay 30% to Al-shabab and 30% to the Islamic Courts. [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200805230035.html allAfrica.com: Somalia: Islamist Rebels in Secret Deal With Kismayo Port Militia (Page 1 of 1) ] ] In addition to that the Islamists were bold enough to start an Islamic court 90 km away from the capital Mogadishu. [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200806020030.html allAfrica.com: Somalia: Islamic Court Opened Near Mogadishu (Page 1 of 1) ] ]

On March 3, 2008, the United States launched an air strike on Dhoble, a Somali town. US officials claimed the town was held by Islamic extremists, but gave few details to the press. [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKQ6Hm0yuq8jNqzJY4rRkn0qzwhQD8V60COG1 US Launches Airstrike in Somalia] Associated Press, March 3, 2008] It was reported that Hassan Turki was in the area. The same area was targeted by US bombers one year earlier. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7274462.stm US bombs Islamist town in Somalia] , BBC, 3 March 2008] A successful air strike occurred on May 1 in Dhusamareb. It killed the leader of Al-Shabab Aden Hashi Eyrow along with another senior commander and several civilians. However the attack did nothing to slow down the Insurgency. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7376760.stm BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Air raid kills Somali militants ] ]

Consequences

Casualties and displacement

As of September 2008, The Elman Peace and Human Rights Organisation said it had verified 9,474 civilian deaths [http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/AMMF-7JJCSY?OpenDocument] , 11,790 injuries, and 1.9 million displaced from homes in Mogadishu alone during the year 2007. [http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/06/26/africa/OUKWD-UK-SOMALIA-CONFLICT.php Somalia conflict kills more than 2,100 this year - International Herald Tribune ] ] In June 2008, former Somali president Abdi Qasim Salad Hassan suggested that Ethiopian troops killed up to 2000 civilians during the war. [http://www.shabelle.net/english/2008/06/25/former-somali-leader-blames-ethiopian-troops-%E2%80%9Cmassacre%E2%80%9D]

The Ethiopian military casualties are hard to verify. The Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi announced 500 dead in the initial invasion phase (Dec. 2006 - Jan. 2007). [ [http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne2163.htm Gunmen shoot dead an Ethiopian soldier in southern Somalia ] ] Hizbul Shabaab's senior commander said to Reuters on December 16, 2007 it had killed nearly 500 Ethiopian soldiers in the insurgency phase. [ [http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=327868&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/ Somali insurgency to intensify : Mail & Guardian Online ] ] The casualties of the Islamist and TFG forces are almost impossible to verify. The Ethiopian PM Meles Zenawi said that 2,000-3,000 Islamists were killed in the first days of the invasion. [ [http://sudantribune.com/spip.php?article19495 SudanTribune article : Ethiopian army accomplished 75% of mission in Somalia - Zenawi ] ]

War crimes

Based on dozens of eyewitness accounts gathered by Human Rights Watch in a six-week research mission to Kenya and Somalia in April and May 2007, plus subsequent interviews and research in June and July, report was released by the HRW that documents the illegal means and methods of warfare allegedly used by all of the warring parties and the resulting catastrophic toll on civilians in Mogadishu. In South Mogadishu, dead bodies of women, children and elders as well as animals are scattered on the district's streets and there are no civilians living in Southern Mogadishu as they have moved to Afgoie. Ethiopians soldiers have looted shops including the Bakara market in South Mogadishu. [http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=30693&sectionid=351020501] Many Mogadishu residents also complain that Somali soldiers, who are often rarely paid in time or at all, extort money from drivers at checkpoints or openly steal from merchants. [ [http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/03/28/africa/somalia.php] Islamists gain ground in Somalia]

In a report in May 2008, Amnesty International condemned violence committed on civilians by all warring parties, especially the Ethiopians. According to it, witnesses told Amnesty International of an increasing incidence of what it locally termed as “slaughtering” or “killing like goats” by Ethiopian troops, referring to killing by slitting the throat. The victims of these killings are often left lying in pools of blood in the streets until armed fighters, including snipers, move out of the area and relatives can collect their bodies. [ [http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/routine-killings-civilians-somalia-20080506 Routine killings of civilians in Somalia | Amnesty International ] ] Such crimes were exposed after the alleged Hidaya Mosque massacre, which occurred on April 20 2008 and saw Ethiopian troops slaughtering civilians according to AI.

Repression of press freedom

An Amnesty International report released in March 2008 stated that "journalists in Somalia were being killed for reporting the truth about the country's bloody conflict, according to research by Amnesty International." At least nine journalists were killed since February 2007, five of them in intentionally targeted attacks. Many more were threatened, arbitrarily arrested and harassed. Over 50 journalists fled the country. The crackdown on independent media saw newspapers and radio stations forcibly shut down. [http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/feature-stories/killed-telling-truth-20080303 Killed for telling the truth | Amnesty International ] ]

In 2007, these closures were steadily increasing in duration, with Shabelle Radio and Simba Radio closed from November 12 until December 3 by the Governor of Banadir Region and Mayor of Mogadishu, Mohamed Dheere.

Suicide attacks

Islamist fighters in Somalia opened a completely new aspect to the Somali Civil War: suicide attacks. Here is a list of reported attacks:
*In late 2006 two suicide bombings were reported in Baidoa, where the government was stationed at the time.
*At the start of April 2007, Al-Jazeera TV aired footage of a Somali man, speaking in Arabic and reciting Koranic verses. They then showed an SUV full of what appeared to be explosives driving towards an Ethiopian compound, followed by a large explosion.
*At least one person blew himself up on April 19, 2007 near an Ethiopian military compound. A bystander stated that at least two Ethiopian vehicles entering the compound were "destroyed to small pieces". [ [http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/9709 Latest News - SomaliNet ] ]
*On April 24th a suicide bomber attacked an Ethiopian compound in Afgoye, 30km south of Mogadishu. No one else was killed. [ [http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/9835 Latest News - SomaliNet ] ]
*On April 25, 11 people were killed in a suicide attack on a major hotel around KM4 roundabout, south of Mogadishu where the Somali government officials are based. [ [http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/9859 Latest News - SomaliNet ] ]
*On June 3, a truck bomb exploded outside the residence of the Somali interim prime minister, Ali Mohamed Ghedi. At least six people were killed and 10 injured - most of them bodyguards. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6716995.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Bomb attack on Somali PM's house ] ]
*On October 11, 2007, Two Ethiopian soldiers were killed by a car bomb in the Somali town of Baidoa. The bomber's target was an Ethiopian military post close to the hotel where the prime minister, Ali Mohamed Ghedi, was staying. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7039018.stm BBC NEWS | Africa |Somali car bomb kills Ethiopians ] ]
*On April 8, 2008 a Toyota pickup truck loaded with explosives struck a gated checkpoint where African Union peacekeepers stood guard, killing the suicide bomber and a peacekeeper from Burundi, sources said. [ [http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=50820&sectionid=351020501 Press TV - Troop killed in Somali explosion ] ] [ [http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Al_Shabaab_suicide_bomber_strikes_African_Union_peacekeepers.shtml Garowe Online - Home ] ]

Weapons

The Ethiopian Army is equipped with predominantly Soviet-made weapons while TFG and Islamic weapons vary, having mostly small arms. The following table should not be considered exhaustive.

Key people

TFG

An August 24, 2006 article in the Sudan Tribune [cite web
first=Ali
last=Osman
url = http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article17246
title = Ethiopia: Zenawi’s sea of lies
date = August 24 2006
publisher=Sudan Tribune
accessdate = 2007-01-04] identified several warlords involved with TFG military units:

* Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed – TFG president, former leader of the SSDF.
* Mohamed Omar Habeeb (Mohamed Dheere) – controlled Jowhar region with the help of Ethiopia; after losing in Mogadishu as part of the ARPCT, regrouped his militia in Ethiopia and since returned (see Battle of Jowhar).
* Muuse Suudi Yalahow – Controlled Medina District in Mogadishu but was forced to flee by the ICU. Has since returned to the city.
* Hussein Mohamed Farrah – son of late General Mohamed Farrah Aidid. Although his father was a key anti-U.N. force in the mid-1990s, Farrah is a naturalized U.S. citizen and former U.S. Marine who controlled Villa Somalia. Former leader of the SRRC militia. The Sudan Tribune says Farrah is in the patronage of Ethiopia, and Western interests see him as their best hope to improve Somali-Western relations.
* Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid – former finance minister under Gen. Aidid; arrested in Sweden for warcrimes, but later released due to lack of evidence.
* Colonel Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud – affiliated with the Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA). Came to power after his militia (with the help of Ethiopian paramilitary forces) drove out Aidid's militia from Baidoa, which became the seat of the transitional government. Currently TFG Minister of Finance.
* Mohamed Qanyare Afrah – former Security Minister and member of ARPCT
* Barre Aadan Shire "Hiiraale" – leader of the Juba Valley Alliance (JVA); controls Kismayo (and until its loss to the ICU, Marka region).
* Hassan Abdullah Qalaad

ICU

* Sharif Ahmed, head of the ICU executive committee
* Hassan Dahir Aweys, head of the ICU shura council, former Somali colonel, listed by the U.S. as a terrorist for heading Osama bin Laden-supported Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya in the 1990s.
* Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki, led forces which captured Juba Valley, on U.S. terrorist list for taking over the leadership of Aweys' group
* Abu Taha al-Sudan, reported to have led the ICU troops in the Battle of Baidoa, former Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, wanted by the U.S. as the financier of the 1998 United States embassy bombings and involvement in the 2002 Mombasa hotel bombing
*Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan, listed as a terrorist by the U.S. for reported involvement in the 2002 Mombasa hotel bombing, said to have been a target of the U.S. AC-130 raid in January 2007
*Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, listed as a terrorist by the U.S. for reported involvement in the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings. Some sources claim that he was a target of the U.S. AC-130 raid. His death by the AC-130 raid was later reported by Somali authorities, but denied by US officials.
*Aden Hashi Farah "Eyrow", led commandos of the ICU's Hizbul Shabaab movement against Ethiopian-backed forces in the Battle of Baidoa, before fleeing and being targeted by the U.S. AC-130 raid that killed eight people on January 8, 2007. Was named Al-Qaeda's leader in Somalia in March, 2007. He was killed in an US air strike on the 1 May 2008.

See also

*List of wars 2003-current

References

External links

* [http://hrw.org/reports/2007/somalia0807/index.htm Shell-Shocked: Civilians Under Siege in Mogadishu] (HRW report)

"General"
* [http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2005-07,GGLD:en&q=somalia&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wn Google News - Somalia]
* [http://www.google.com/search?q=somali&domains=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.counterpunch.org&sitesearch=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.counterpunch.org Counterpunch - Somalia]
* [http://www.pbs.org/newshour/indepth_coverage/africa/somalia/index.html Somalia's Struggle for Stability] Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

"Articles Critical of US and Somali policy"
* [http://www.madrid11.net/articles/somalia060307 Clouds over Somalia by David Shinn] Former US ambassador urges the Somali government to reach out to its erstwhile foes on Madrid11.net
* [http://www.counterpunch.org/nasser01032007.html Somali: New Hotbed of Anti-Americanism by Nicola Nasser]
* [http://www.counterpunch.org/mire01022007.html Return of the Warlords by Amina Mire]