WAR IN SOMALIA (2006–PRESENT)

The 'War in Somalia' is an ongoing armed conflict involving largely Ethiopian and Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces versus the Islamist militant umbrella group, the Islamic Court Union (ICU), and other affiliated militias for control of the country. The war officially began on December 21, 2006, when 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". Carnage as Somalia 'in state of war' Bonny Apunyu On December 24, Ethiopia stated it would actively combat the ICU. Ethiopian prime minister says his country is at war with Islamists in Somalia
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.” Ethiopia launches open war in Somalia
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. An Interim Agreement Gives Islamists an Edge in Somalia
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. Somali Islamists give Ethiopia one-week deadline to withdraw troops Mustafa Haji Abdinur 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 & 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.^[2] 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.
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.^[3]

Contents

Forces involved

Background

Historic background

Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts

Information Warfare, Disinformation and Propaganda

Timeline

2006

July–October 2006

November - December 2006

2007

War crimes

Suicide bombings

Somaliland

Weapons

Key people

TFG

ICU

See also

References

External links

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,^[4] while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group." Ethiopia only admitted to 3,000–4,000 being involved, though the ICU claimed the Ethiopians had 30,000 troops, Troops dig in as Somalia war fears grow Hassan Yare while Eritrea denies having any troops in Somalia.^[5] 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. Somali government troops and allied militias estimated roughly 10,000. Somalia 'needs peace force soon'

Background

Main articles: Ethiopian-Somali conflict

Historic background

A broader perspective shows many incidents of Ethiopian-Somali conflict. 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. Without that, ethnic and political tensions have caused cross-border clashes over the years.

★ 1960–1964 Border Dispute

★ 1977–1978 Ogaden War

★ 1982 August Border Clash Somalia, 1980–1996 Ethiopian-Somalian Border Clash 1982

★ 1998–2000 Cross-border warfare during the chaotic warlord-led era. Somalia: Ethiopia Denies Troop Incursion Allegations
Conflicts between Ethiopia and Somalia are not limited to the 20th–21st Centuries. 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.
Therefore, painful living history, oral and cultural traditions, long-standing ethnic divisions and sectarian differences lay between the two nations and fuel the conflict.

Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts

Main articles: Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in the Somali Civil War

The war is being responded to by high-level diplomatic engagements, including the UN Security Council, the EU, Arab League, and African Union. Many humanitarian organizations are making appeals to stem the conflict before it causes catastrophic civilian suffering.

Information Warfare, Disinformation and Propaganda

Main articles: Propaganda in the War in Somalia

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.

Timeline

2006

July–October 2006

Ethiopian troops moved into Somalian territory on July 20, 2006. Ethiopian Troops Enter Somalia to Resist Islamic Militia
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. Conflict in Somalia Moves Toward Confrontation
On October 9, it was reported Ethiopian troops seized Burhakaba. Ethiopian Troops Seize Strategic Town In Somalia 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 to avoid bloodshed in their town. The article said it was government troops, and not Ethiopians who had come to the town. Somalis vow holy war on Ethiopia Islamists retake Burhakaba town after hours of government occupation Mohamed Abdi Farah

November - December 2006

An Ethiopian column of 80 vehicles was hit by landmines 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.Ethiopia and Somalia: In Denial, Stratfor. Ethiopian convoy 'attacked' in Somalia Witnesses: 6 Ethiopian soldiers killed in ambush by Somalia's Islamic fighters
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.^[6]
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.^[7] Ethiopia's parliament voted the same day to authorize the government take "all necessary" steps to rebuff any potential invasion by Somalia's Islamists. Ethiopia votes to "stave off" Somali Islamist threat Tsegaye Tadesse
On December 8, 2006, fighters from Somalia's Islamic Courts Union clashed with Somalian pro-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".^[8] 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.^[9]
On December 9, fighters from Somalia's Islamic Courts and pro-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.^[10]
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.
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.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.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 a EU-brokered peace. Heavy fighting continued in Lidale and Dinsoor.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 hundred
military 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." Ethiopia admits Somalia offensive
On December 25, Ethiopian and Somali forces captured Beledweyne. Defending ICU forces fled Beledweyne concurrent to Ethiopian airstrikes against the Mogadishu and Bali-Dogle airports. Heavy fighting was also reported in Burhakaba.Ethiopia attacks Somalia airports BBC News

Ethiopian army T-55 tank near Mogadishu

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.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. 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.^[11]

2007

Main articles: Timeline of the War in Somalia: 2007

Military events in 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. Military Official Reports Second US Air Strike in Somalia
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. ^[12]
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. ^[12] 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. ^[14]

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.

Suicide bombings

In late 2006, two suicide bombings were reported in Baidoa where the government was stationed at the time.
In the beginning of April 2007, Al-Jazeera TV aired a Somali man who was speaking in Arabic and reciting Koranic verses. Then they showed an SUV full what appeared to be explosives driving toward an Ethiopian compound followed by a large explosion.
The insurgents adapted Middle East style suicide bombings. At least one person blew himself on April 19, 2007 near an Ethiopian military compound. A bystander said at least two Ethiopian vehicles entering the compound were destroyed to small pieces. [1]
On April 24, a suicide bomber attacked an Ethiopian forces compound in Afgoye town, 30km south of Mogadishu. There were no immediate casualty reports. [2]
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. [3]
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. [4]

Somaliland

Having secured the southern and central area of Somalia in mid January 2007, the Transitional Federal Government is faced with the issue of whether, and how, to unify the entirety of Somalia as it existed in 1991. Since that year, Somaliland has been operating as a ''de facto'' independent nation, though unrecognized internationally. According to the Transitional Federal Charter, the Somali Republic includes the area of Somaliland in the definition of its sovereign territory.
There are various political forces involved. Ethiopia depends on Somaliland to provide port facilities since the loss of the coast with Eritrea, and generally supports the idea of Somaliland independence, while Eritrea supports Somaliland being reabsorbed into Somalia to make a larger nation to counter Ethiopia's dominance on the region. As well, eastern Somaliland is disputed with Puntland because of clan ties. Somaliland and The Issue of International Recognition .
On January 11, Somaliland and Ethiopia held talks regarding further economic ties. Somaliland: Talks Held with Ethiopian Premier
On January 14, 2007, leaders of Somaliland's three main political parties, the UDUB, Kulmiye, and UCID, held a press conference warning of regional war if Somalia tried to reabsorb Somaliland. Somalia: Somaliland warns of regional war On January 16, tens of thousands protested in Hargeisa against the prospect of reunification, burning Somalian flags. Anti Somalia government protest rages in Somaliland The next day, January 17, thousands demonstrated in favor of joining the TFG took place in the Sool and Sanag regions of Somaliland. Pro-government rally take place in northwest Somalia

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.

Type	Ethiopian Army	TFG	Islamists
Tanks	T-55, T-62, T-72	none	none
APC's/IFV's	BTR-40, M113, BTR-60	technicals	technicals
Artillery	2A18, M1937 Howitzer, BM-21, 120mm mortars	120mm mortars Bakaraaha Arms Market, The Opposition And The ‎Militant Fundamentalists	120mm mortars
Aircraft	MiG-21, MiG-23, Su-27 The Ethiopians have always been tough, mean	none	none
Helicopters	Mi-6, Mi-8, Mi-24	none	none
Small Arms, Light Weapons	AK-47, Heckler & Koch G3, PKM, DShK, ZU-23, RPG-2, RPG-7	AK-47, Heckler & Koch G3, PKM, DShK, ZU-23, RPG-2, RPG-7	AK-47, DShK, Browning M2, ZU-23, M79, RPG-7

Key people

TFG

An August 24, 2006 article in the Sudan Tribune^[15] 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 & 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) drived out Aidid's militia from Baidoa, which became the seat of the transitional government. Presently 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.

See also

References

1. Ethiopia's Iraq David Ignatius
2. Al-Qaida suspects still alive in Somalia
3.
4. Remnants of Somalia Islamists still pose a threat - official
5. Ethiopia says forced into war with Somali Islamists Hassan Yare
6. Somalia: Islamists And Ethiopian Troops Exchange Mortar Shells in Galkayo
7. Islamists 'ambush' Ethiopia truck
8. 'Heavy fighting' in Somali town
9. Fresh fighting erupts in Somalia
10. Fighting continues in Somalia
11. Somalia: Islamists lost their last strongholds Mohamed Abdi Farah
12. http://hrw.org/reports/2007/somalia0807/4.htm#_ftnref107
13. http://hrw.org/reports/2007/somalia0807/4.htm#_ftnref107
14. http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/10921
15. Ethiopia: Zenawi’s sea of lies

External links

★ Shell-Shocked:
Civilians Under Siege in Mogadishu (HRW report)

;''General''

★ Google News - Somalia

★ Counterpunch - Somalia

★ Somalia's Struggle for Stability Online NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
;''Articles Critical of US and Somali policy''

★ Clouds over Somalia by David Shinn Former US ambassador urges the Somali government to reach out to its erstwhile foes on Madrid11.net

★ Somali: New Hotbed of Anti-Americanism by Nicola Nasser

★ Return of the Warlords by Amina Mire