Somali civil war - Wikipedia Somali civil war This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. ( December 2016 ) Somali Civil War Part of the conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the War on Terror Map of the current phase of the Somali Civil War Date 23 May 1986 ( or 26 January 1991 ) -- present Location Somalia Result Ongoing conflict Fall of the Supreme Revolutionary Council Consolidation of states Conflict between radical Islamists and the government De facto independence of Somaliland New government Belligerents 1986 -- 91 : Somali Democratic Republic ( until 1991 ) SNA Allied rebel groups : SNF ( after 1991 ) 1986 -- 91 : Armed rebel groups : SSDF SNM SPM USC 1992 -- 95 : United Nations UNOSOM I Unified Task Force UNOSOM II 1992 -- 93 : USC 2006 -- 09 : Transitional Federal Government Ethiopia AMISOM Allied armed groups : ARPCT Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a 2006 -- 09 : Islamic Courts Union Oromo Liberation Front Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia Al - Shabaab Ras Kamboni Brigades ( from 2007 ) Jabhatul Islamiya ( from 2007 ) Muaskar Anole ( from 2007 ) 2009 -- present : Federal Government of Somalia AMISOM Advisors / Operators United States JSOC SOCOM United States Navy 2009 -- present : Al - Qaeda Al - Shabaab Foreign Mujahideen Hizbul Islam Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( after 2015 ) Casualties and losses Casualties : 300,000 ( SFG ) -- 500,000 + ( AFP ) Displaced : 1.1 million+ Recent conflicts in the Horn of Africa Eritrean War of Independence Eritrean Civil Wars Oromo conflict Ethiopian Civil War Ogaden War 1982 Border War Somali Civil War Somali Rebellion 2006 -- 2009 2009 -- present Djiboutian Civil War Insurgency in Ogaden Ethiopian crackdown Hanish Islands conflict Eritrean -- Ethiopian War OEF -- Horn of Africa Eritrean -- Ethiopian border conflict Second Afar insurgency Djiboutian -- Eritrean border conflict The Somali Civil War ( Somali : Dagaalkii Sokeeye ee Soomaaliya, Arabic : الحرب الأهلية الصومالية ‎ ) is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. It grew out of resistance to the military junta led by Siad Barre during the 1980s. By 1988 -- 90, the Somali Armed Forces began engaging various armed rebel groups, including the Somali Salvation Democratic Front in the northeast, the Somali National Movement in the northwest, and the United Somali Congress in the south. The clan - based armed opposition groups eventually managed to overthrow the Barre government in 1991. Various armed factions began competing for influence in the power vacuum and turmoil that followed, particularly in the south. In 1990 -- 92 customary law temporarily collapsed due to the fighting. This precipitated the arrival of UNOSOM I UN military observers in July 1992, followed by larger peacekeeping forces. Factional fighting continued in the south. In the absence of a central government, Somalia became a `` failed state ''. The UN withdrew in 1995, having incurred significant casualties, but no central authority had yet been reestablished. After the collapse of the central government, there was some return to customary and religious law in most regions. In 1991 and 1998, two autonomous regional governments were also established in the northern part of the country. This led to a relative decrease in the intensity of the fighting, with SIPRI removing Somalia from its list of major armed conflicts for the years 1997 and 1998. In 2000, the Transitional National Government was established, followed by the Transitional Federal Government ( TFG ) in 2004. The trend towards reduced conflict halted in 2005, and sustained and destructive conflict took place in the south in 2005 -- 07. However, the fighting was of a much lower scale and intensity than in the early 1990s. In 2006, Ethiopian troops seized most of the south from the newly formed Islamic Courts Union ( ICU ). The ICU then splintered into more radical groups, notably Al - Shabaab, which have since been fighting the Somali government and the AU - mandated AMISOM peacekeeping force for control of the country. Somalia topped the annual Fragile States Index for six years between 2008 and 2013. In October 2011, following preparatory meetings, Kenyan troops entered southern Somalia ( `` Operation Linda Nchi '' ) to fight Al - Shabaab, and to establish a buffer zone inside Somalia. Kenyan troops were formally integrated into the multinational force in February 2012. The Federal Government of Somalia was later established in August 2012, constituting the first permanent central government in the country since the start of the civil war. International stakeholders and analysts have subsequently begun to describe Somalia as a `` fragile state '', which is making some progress towards stability. Contents 1 Fall of Barre government ( 1986 -- 91 ) 2 United Somali Congress topples Barre 3 United Nations intervention ( 1992 -- 95 ) 4 USC / SSA ( 1995 -- 2000 ) 5 TFG, Islamic Courts Union, and Ethiopia ( 2006 -- 09 ) 6 Coalition government ( 2009 -- ) 7 From 2009 onwards 8 Casualties 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 12 Further reading 13 External links Fall of Barre government ( 1986 -- 91 ) Main article : Somali Rebellion Major General Mohamed Siad Barre, Chairman of the Supreme Revolutionary Council and President of Somalia. In May 1986, Barre suffered serious injuries in an automobile accident near Mogadishu, when the car that was transporting him smashed into the back of a bus during a heavy rainstorm. He was treated in a hospital in Saudi Arabia for head injuries, broken ribs and shock over a period of a month. Lieutenant General Mohamed Ali Samatar, then Vice President, subsequently served as de facto head of state for the next several months. Although Barre managed to recover enough to present himself as the sole presidential candidate for re-election over a term of seven years on December 23, 1986, his poor health and advanced age led to speculation about who would succeed him in power. Possible contenders included his son - in - law General Ahmed Suleiman Abdille, who was at the time the Minister of the Interior, in addition to Samatar. Three knocked - out Somali National Army ( SNA ) M47 Patton medium tanks left abandoned near a warehouse following the outbreak of the civil war In an effort to hold on to power, Barre 's ruling Supreme Revolutionary Council ( SRC ) became increasingly totalitarian and arbitrary. This caused opposition to his government to grow. Barre in turn tried to quell the unrest by abandoning appeals to nationalism, relying more and more on his own inner circle, and exploiting historical clan animosities. By the mid-1980s, more resistance movements supported by Ethiopia 's communist Derg administration had sprung up across the country. Barre responded by ordering punitive measures against those he perceived as locally supporting the guerrillas, especially in the northern regions. The clampdown included bombing of cities, with the northwestern administrative center of Hargeisa, a Somali National Movement ( SNM ) stronghold, among the targeted areas in 1988. In 1990, as fighting intensified, Somalia 's first President Aden Abdullah Osman Daar and about 100 other Somali politicians signed a manifesto advocating reconciliation. A number of the signatories were subsequently arrested. Barre 's heavy - handed tactics further strengthened the appeal of the various rebel movements, although these groups ' only common goal was the overthrow of his government. It also played a major role in developing piracy in Somalia. United Somali Congress topples Barre By mid 1990, United Somali Congress ( USC ) rebels had captured most towns and villages surrounding Mogadishu, which prompted some to give Barre the ironic title ' Mayor of Mogadishu. ' In December the USC entered Mogadishu. Four weeks of battle between Barre 's remaining troops and the USC ensued, over the course of which the USC brought more forces into the city. By January 1991, USC rebels had managed to defeat the Red Berets, in the process toppling Barre 's government. The remainder of the government 's forces then finally collapsed. Some became irregular regional forces and clan militias. After the USC 's victory over Barre 's troops, the other rebel groups declined to cooperate with it, as each instead drew primary support from their own constituencies. Among these other opposition movements were the Somali Patriotic Movement ( SPM ) and Somali Democratic Alliance ( SDA ), a Gadabuursi group which had been formed in the northwest to counter the Somali National Movement Isaaq militia. For its part, the SNM initially refused to accept the legitimacy of the provisional government that the USC had established. However, the SNM 's former leader Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo later proposed a power - sharing framework in March 1991 between the SNM and USC under a new transitional government. Many of the opposition groups subsequently began competing for influence in the power vacuum that followed the ouster of Barre 's government. In the south, armed factions led by USC commanders General Mohamed Farah Aidid and Ali Mahdi Mohamed, in particular, clashed as each sought to exert authority over the capital. In the northwest, at the Burao conference of April -- May 1991, SNM secessionists proclaimed independence for the region under the name Somaliland. They concurrently selected the SNM 's leader Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur as president. In 1992, after four months of heavy fighting for control of Mogadishu, a ceasefire was agreed between Ali Mahdi Mohamed and Mohamed Farah Aideed. Neither leader had seized control of the capital, and as a result, a ' greenline ' was established between north and south that divided their areas of control. United Nations intervention ( 1992 -- 95 ) Main articles : UNITAF and UNOSOM II UN Security Council Resolution 733 and UN Security Council Resolution 746 led to the creation of the United Nations Operation in Somalia I ( UNOSOM I ), to provide humanitarian relief and help restore order in Somalia after the dissolution of its central government. An American soldier at the main entrance to the Port of Mogadishu points to identify a sniper 's possible firing position ( January 1994 ). United Nations Security Council Resolution 794 was unanimously passed on December 3, 1992, which approved a coalition of United Nations peacekeepers led by the United States. Forming the Unified Task Force ( UNITAF ), the alliance was tasked with assuring security until humanitarian efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation were transferred to the UN. Landing in 1993, the UN peacekeeping coalition started the two - year United Nations Operation in Somalia II ( UNOSOM II ) primarily in the south. UNITAF 's original mandate was to use `` all necessary means '' to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian aid in accordance to Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. During negotiations from 1993 to 1995, Somali principals had some success in reconciliation and establishment of public authorities. Among these initiatives was the Mudug peace agreement of June 1993 between Aidid 's forces and the SSDF, which established a ceasefire between the Haber Gedir and the Majeerteen clans, opened the trade routes, and formalized the withdrawal of militants from Galkayo ; the UNOSOM - mediated Hirab reconciliation of January 1994 in Mogadishu between elders of the rival Abgal and Haber Gedir clans, which was backed by politicians from these constituencies and concluded with a pact to end hostilities, dismantle the green line partitioning the city, and remove road blocks ; the UNOSOM - mediated Kismayo initiative of 1994 between the SNA, SPM, SSDF, and representatives of nineteen clans from the southern Lower Juba and Middle Juba regions ; the 1994 Bardhere conference between the Marehan and Rahanweyn ( Digil and Mirifle ), which resolved conflicts over local resources ; and the short - lived Digil - Mirifle Governing Council for the southern Bay and Bakool regions, which was established in March 1995. Some of the militias that were then competing for power saw UNOSOM 's presence as a threat to their hegemony. Consequently, gun battles took place in Mogadishu between local gunmen and peacekeepers. Among these was the Battle of Mogadishu in October 1993, an unsuccessful attempt by U.S. troops to apprehend faction leader Aidid. UN soldiers eventually withdrew altogether from the country on March 3, 1995, having incurred more significant casualties. USC / SSA ( 1995 -- 2000 ) President of the Transitional National Government, Abdiqasim Salad Hassan According to Interpeace, after UNOSOM 's departure in March 1995, military clashes between local factions became shorter, generally less intense, and more localized. This was in part due to the large - scale UN military intervention that had helped to curb the intense fighting between the major factions, who then began to focus on consolidating gains that they had made. The local peace and reconciliation initiatives that had been undertaken in the south - central part of the country between 1993 and 1995 also generally had a positive impact. Aidid subsequently declared himself President of Somalia on June 15, 1995. However, his declaration received no recognition, as his rival Ali Mahdi Muhammad had already been elected interim President at a conference in Djibouti and recognized as such by the international community. Consequently, Aidid 's faction continued its quest for hegemony in the south. In September 1995, militia forces loyal to him attacked and occupied the city of Baidoa. Aidid 's forces remained in control of Baidoa from September 1995 to at least January 1996, while the local Rahanweyn Resistance Army militia continued to engage his forces in the town 's environs. Fighting continued in the later half of 1995 in southern Kismayo and the Juba Valley, as well as southwestern and central Somalia. However, despite these pockets of conflict, the Gedo and Middle Shabelle regions, in addition to both the northeastern and northwestern parts of the country remained relatively peaceful. A number of the regional and district administrations that had been locally established in the preceding few years continued to operate in these areas. Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud, leader of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army In March 1996, Ali Mahdi was elected chairman of the United Somali Congress / Somali Salvation Alliance ( USC / SSA ), based in northern Mogadishu. In the southern part of city, Aidid 's forces battled those of Osman Atto for control of the port of Merca as well as strategic areas in Mogadishu. Fighting in Merca eventually ended after elders intervened, but continued in Mogadishu. In August 1996, Aidid died from wounds incurred during combat in the Medina area. In 1998, a homegrown constitutional conference was held in the northeastern town of Garowe over a period of three months. Attended by the area 's political elite, traditional elders ( Issims ), members of the business community, intellectuals and other civil society representatives, the autonomous Puntland State of Somalia was subsequently officially established so as to deliver services to the population, offer security, facilitate trade, and interact with both domestic and international partners. In 1999, Eritrea was alleged to be supporting Somali National Alliance forces led by the late Aidid 's son Hussein Farrah Aidid. Aidid jr. denied the claims, saying that the Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had requested that he mediate between Ethiopia and Eritrea in their separate conflict. However the International Institute for Strategic Studies separately reported that Hussein Aideed himself had acknowledged support from both Eritrea and Uganda. Aideed 's forces occupied Baidoa in May 1999. However they were driven out by the Rahanweyn Resistance Army in June 1999, backed by an Ethiopian force of up to 3,000 using tanks and artillery. The IISS said that the attack was part of a strategy to prevent Eritrea opening up a new front. By the end of the year, the Rahanweyn Resistance Army had taken control of the southern Bay and Bakool provinces. The RRA 's leader Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud subsequently established the Southwestern State of Somalia regional administration. In 2000, Ali Mahdi participated in another conference in Djibouti. He lost a re-election bid there to Barre 's former Interior Minister Abdiqasim Salad Hassan. TFG, Islamic Courts Union, and Ethiopia ( 2006 -- 09 ) Main articles : Advance of the Islamic Courts Union, War in Somalia ( 2006 -- 09 ), Transitional Federal Government, ARPCT, and Islamic Courts Union Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, one of the founders of the Transitional Federal Government, established in 2004 In 2000, the Transitional National Government ( TNG ) was established. The Transitional Federal Government ( TFG ) was formed in Nairobi in 2004. Selection of members of parliament was underway by June, over two hundred members of parliament ( MPs ) took the oath of office in August, and Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was elected president by the parliament in October 2004. However, in March 2005 the TFG split after a brawl in parliament over deployment of peacekeepers and relocation to an interim capital. The parliamentary speaker led some members to Mogadishu while the president and others remained in Nairobi. In June 2005, under pressure from Kenya, the remainder of the TFG left Nairobi for Jowhar. In February 2006, the TFG parliament met in Baidoa for the first time since March 2005. ( Interpeace, 104 ) A battle for Mogadishu followed in the first half of 2006 in which the ARPCT, a coalition of U.S. - backed militia leaders, confronted the ascendant Islamic Courts Union ( ICU ). However, the ICU won a decisive victory in June of that year. It then rapidly expanded and consolidated its power throughout southern Somalia. By August 2006, the TFG was confined to Baidoa under Ethiopian protection. ( Interpeace, 104 ) Hardline Islamists subsequently gained power within the ICU, prompting fears of a Talibanization of the movement. In December 2006, Ethiopian troops entered Somalia to assist the TFG against the advancing Islamic Courts Union, initially winning the Battle of Baidoa. With their support, Somali government forces recaptured the capital from the ICU. The offensive helped the TFG solidify its rule. On January 8, 2007, as the Battle of Ras Kamboni raged, TFG President and founder Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed entered Mogadishu for the first time since being elected to office. But as Meckhaus writes, the TFG was seen `` by most of the Mogadishu population as a puppet of Ethiopia, and uncontrolled TFG security forces became the principal sources of insecurity for the local population, engaging in kidnapping, assaults, and worse. '' Within weeks, an armed insurgency subsequently arose in the capital against the TFG and its Ethiopian allies. The government then relocated to the capital from its interim location in Baidoa. The arms embargo on Somalia was amended in February 2007 to allow states to supply weapons to the TFG 's security forces, provided that they received prior approval from the UN 's Somalia Sanctions Committee. After long discussions, the African Union approved the initial deployment of the African Union Mission to Somalia ( AMISOM ) in March 2007. It established a ' small triangle of protection ' around Mogadishu 's airport, seaport, and the Villa Somalia, and began to adopt a low - key negotiating profile with key actors. In November 2008, following repeated violations of the weapons blockade, the Security Council decided that an arms embargo could be imposed on entities involved in such breaches. After a two - year consultation process, the TFG was formed in 2004 by Somali politicians in Nairobi under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development ( IGAD ). The process also led to the establishment of the Transitional Federal Institutions ( TFIs ), and concluded in October 2004 with the election of Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed as president. The TFG thereafter became Somalia 's internationally recognized government. Political situation in Somalia following the Ethiopian military withdrawal, February 3, 2009 Following their defeat, the Islamic Courts Union splintered into several different factions. Some of the more radical elements, including Al - Shabaab, regrouped to continue their insurgency against the TFG and oppose the Ethiopian military 's presence in Somalia. Throughout 2007 and 2008, Al - Shabaab scored military victories, seizing control of key towns and ports in both central and southern Somalia. At the end of 2008, the group had captured Baidoa but not Mogadishu. On May 1, 2008, the U.S. made an airstrike on Dhusamareb, and followed on 3 May with another airstrike on the border town of Dobley. According to the International Crisis Group, Ethiopia 's leaders were surprised by the insurgency 's persistence and strength and frustrated at the TFG 's chronic internal problems. By January 2009, Al - Shabaab and other militias had forced the Ethiopian troops to retreat, leaving behind an understaffed African Union peacekeeping force. Due to a lack of funding and human resources, an arms embargo that made it difficult to re-establish a national security force, and general indifference on the part of the international community, President Yusuf found himself obliged to deploy thousands of troops from Puntland to Mogadishu to sustain the battle against insurgent elements in the southern part of the country. Financial support for this effort was provided by the autonomous region 's government. This left little revenue for Puntland 's own security forces and civil service employees, leaving the territory vulnerable to piracy and terrorist attacks. On December 29, 2008, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed announced before a united parliament in Baidoa his resignation as President of Somalia. In his speech, which was broadcast on national radio, Yusuf expressed regret at failing to end the country 's seventeen - year conflict as his government had mandated to do. He also blamed the international community for its failure to support the government, and said that the speaker of parliament would succeed him in office per the charter of the Transitional Federal Government. Coalition government ( 2009 -- ) See also : Al - Shabaab ( militant group ), Hizbul Islam, Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, and Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia The battle flag of Al - Shabaab, an Islamist group waging war against the federal government Between May 31 and June 9, 2008, representatives of Somalia 's federal government and the moderate Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia ( ARS ) group of Islamist rebels participated in peace talks in Djibouti brokered by the former United Nations Special Envoy to Somalia, Ahmedou Ould - Abdallah. The conference ended with a signed agreement calling for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in exchange for the cessation of armed confrontation. Parliament was subsequently expanded to 550 seats to accommodate ARS members, which then elected Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the former ARS chairman, to office. President Sharif shortly afterwards appointed Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, the son of slain former President Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, as the nation 's new Prime Minister. With the help of AMISOM, the coalition government also began a counteroffensive in February 2009 to assume full control of the southern half of the country. To solidify its rule, the TFG formed an alliance with the Islamic Courts Union, other members of the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia, and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a, a moderate Sufi militia. Furthermore, Al - Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, the two main Islamist groups in opposition, began to fight amongst themselves in mid-2009. As a truce, in March 2009, Somalia 's coalition government announced that it would re-implement shari'a as the nation 's official judicial system. However, conflict continued in the southern and central parts of the country. Within months, the coalition government had gone from holding about 70 % of south - central Somalia 's conflict zones, territory which it had inherited from the previous Yusuf administration, to losing control of over 80 % of the disputed territory to the Islamist insurgents. From 2009 onwards Main article : War in Somalia ( 2009 -- present ) In November 2010, a new technocratic government was elected to office, which enacted numerous reforms. Among these, in its first 50 days in office, the new administration completed its first monthly payment of stipends to government soldiers. Political situation in Somalia as of 14 October 2014 On August 6, 2011, Al - Shabaab was forced to withdraw from most areas of Mogadishu. Somali government forces and their AMISOM allies subsequently launched offensives in January 2012 on the insurgent group 's last foothold on the northern outskirts of the city. An ideological rift within Al - Shabaab 's leadership also emerged after the 2011 drought and the assassination of top officials in the organization. In October 2011, following a weekend preparatory meeting between Somali and Kenyan military officials in the town of Dhobley, Operation Linda Nchi, involving the Kenya Defence Forces and Somali Armed Forces, began against the Al - Shabaab group of insurgents in southern Somalia. The cross-border incursion had reportedly taken nearly two years of planning, during which Kenyan officials had sought U.S. support. In early June 2012, Kenyan troops were formally integrated into AMISOM. In late September and early October 2012, Kenya Army AMISOM troops, and the allied Raskamboni militia captured the strategic town of Kismayo from Al - Shabaab. The southern city was a key source of revenue for the insurgent group and constituted its last major stronghold. The Federal Government of Somalia was established in September 2012 ( Bryden, Somalia Redux ). In January 2013, AMISOM 's mandate was extended for another year following the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2093. The Security Council therein also unanimously voted to suspend Somalia 's arms embargo on light weapons for a one - year period. Additionally, the Security Council welcomed the Federal Government 's development of a new national security strategy, urging the central authorities to accelerate the plan 's implementation, further define the Somali national security forces ' composition, and identify capability gaps to assist their international partners in better addressing them. While many urban areas had been seized, Al - Shabaab still controlled many rural areas, where a number of their operatives disappeared into local communities in order to more effectively exploit any mistakes by the central authorities. In October 2013, the U.S. Africa Command began establishing the Mogadishu Coordinating Cell in the Somali capital, which became fully operational in late December. The unit was formed at the request of the Somali government and AMISOM, who had approached U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in September about the possibility. It consists of a small team of fewer than five advisers, including planners and communicators between the Somali authorities and AMISOM. The cell is intended to provide consultative and planning support to the allied forces in order to enhance their capacity and to promote peace and security throughout the country and wider region. In November 2013, a senior Ethiopian government official announced that Ethiopia 's troops deployed in Somalia would soon join AMISOM, having already forwarded a request to do so. At the time, an estimated 8,000 Ethiopian soldiers were stationed in the country. The Somali Foreign Ministry welcomed the decision, asserting that the move would galvanize AMISOM 's campaign against Al - Shabaab. Following the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2124, which authorized the deployment of 4,000 additional troops to augment AMISOM 's 22,126 strong force, Ethiopian troops formally joined the mission in January 2014. They are mandated to work alongside the Somali National Army, with responsibility for the allied forces ' operations in the southern Gedo, Bakool and Bay regions. The Ethiopian troops represent AMISOM 's sixth contingent after the Djibouti, Burundi, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Uganda units. In January 2014, at an African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud requested an extension of the UN Security Council 's weapons purchasing mandate for Somalia after its March expiration. He indicated that the Somali defence forces required better military equipment and arms to more effectively combat militants. The following month, the UN Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group reported that systematic abuses by officials within the Somali government had allowed weapons to be diverted away from Somalia 's security forces and into the hands of faction leaders and Al - Shabaab militants. The panel had observed various issues and concerns surrounding the management of weapons and ammunition stockpiles, including difficulties by monitors in accessing local weapons stockpiles and in obtaining information about the arms. The monitors also suggested that one key adviser to the president was involved in planning arms deliveries to Al - Shabaab and that shipments of weapons from Djibouti and Uganda could not be accounted for. Somali Chief of Army Dahir Adan Elmi made a pro forma denial of the allegations. He also indicated that a UN monitoring team had twice visited the government 's weapons and ammunition storage facilities in Mogadishu, where it was shown the arms stockpiles for inspection and had reportedly expressed satisfaction. Elmi stated that the government had twice purchased weapons since the arms embargo on Somalia was partially lifted. Elmi also asserted that Al - Shabaab already possessed an adequate supply of weapons and mainly utilized explosive devices and sophisticated bombs. Somali Civil War ( updated as of December 2016 ) In February 2014, a delegation led by Prime Minister of Somalia Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed met in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn to discuss strengthening relations between the two countries. Ahmed commended Ethiopia 's role in the ongoing peace and stabilization process in Somalia as well as its support against Al - Shabaab, and welcomed the Ethiopian military 's decision to join AMISOM. Hailemariam Desalegn in turn pledged his administration 's continued support for the peace and stabilization efforts in Somalia, as well as its preparedness to assist in initiatives aiming to build up the Somali security forces through experience - sharing and training. The meeting concluded with a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to promote partnership and cooperation, including a cooperative agreement to develop the police force. On 5 March 2014, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend the partial easing of the arms embargo on Somalia until 25 October of the year. The resolution permits the Somali government to purchase light weapons, with the stipulation that all member states must take steps to prevent the direct or indirect supply, transfer or sale of arms and military equipment to individuals or entities outside of the Somali security forces. The Somali government is also required to routinely report on the structural status of the military, as well as provide information on the extant infrastructure and protocols designed to ensure the military equipment 's safe delivery, storage and maintenance. In early March 2014, AMISOM, supported by Somali militias, launched another operation to remove Al - Shabaab from its remaining areas of control in southern Somalia. According to Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the government subsequently launched stabilization efforts in the newly liberated areas, which included Rab Dhuure, Hudur, Wajid and Burdhubo. The Ministry of Defence was providing ongoing reassurance and security to the local residents, and supplying logistical and security support. Additionally, the Ministry of Interior was prepared to support and put into place programs to assist local administration and security. A Deputy Minister and several religious scholars were also dispatched to all four towns to coordinate and supervise the federal government 's stabilization initiatives. By March 26, the allied forces had liberated ten towns within the month, including Qoryoley and El Buur. UN Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay described the military advance as the most significant and geographically extensive offensive since AU troops began operations in 2007. In August 2014, the Somali government - led Operation Indian Ocean was launched, which aimed to clean up the remaining insurgent - held pockets in the countryside. On 1 September 2014, a U.S. drone strike carried out as part of the broader mission killed Al - Shabaab leader Moktar Ali Zubeyr. U.S. authorities hailed the raid as a major symbolic and operational loss for Al - Shabaab, and the Somali government offered a 45 - day amnesty to all moderate members of the militant group. Casualties According to Necrometrics, around 500,000 people are estimated to have been killed in Somalia since the start of the civil war in 1991. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Dataset estimates that 3,300 people were killed during the conflict in 2012, with the number of fatalities dropping slightly in 2013 to 3,150. See also Somalia portal United Nations portal War portal Somali Civil War ( 2009 -- present ) Drone strikes in Somalia Somali Cvil War ( 2006 -- 2009 ) History of Somalia ( 1991 -- 2006 ) Consolidation of states within Somalia ( 1998 -- 2006 ) Factions in the Somali Civil War Mogadishu Line IIDA Women 's Development Organisation List of conflicts in the Horn of Africa Notes Jump up ^ Various start dates have been offered for when the civil war in Somalia began. The Central Bank of Somalia, the United Nations, the US Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Necrometrics all assert that the conflict started in 1991, after the ouster of the Siad Barre administration. Political scientist James Fearon argues that the start of the conflict could be dated to 1981, when armed Isaaq clan militias began to launch small - scale attacks against the Barre regime and its Isaaq members, to the razing of the Isaaq majority town of Hargeisa in 1988 by state forces, or to 1991, following the collapse of the Barre administration and the commencement of interclan warfare. For analytical purposes, he settles on 1991 for the start date of a new civil war, on the grounds that the fighting had begun previously, but that a major party to the conflict was defeated. Robinson writes that the `` civil war had effectively begun by 1987 '', referring to Compagnon. References Jump up ^ Kenya : Seven Oromo Liberation Front Fighters Held in Garissa Allafrica.com ( Daily Nation ), January 6, 2007 Jump up ^ `` Al - Shabaab leader 's fate unclear after suspected U.S. drone strike ''. CNN. Jump up ^ `` U.S. drone strike in Somalia targets al - Shabab leader ''. The Washington Post. Jump up ^ `` ISIL 's First East African Affiliate Conducts Attacks in Somalia, Kenya ''. DefenseNews. December 29, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Somalia : Pro-ISIL militants, Al Shabaab clash in deadly Puntland infighting ''. Garowe Online. December 24, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Board of Directors ''. Central Bank of Somalia. Retrieved 3 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` UN senior official calls for widespread support for Somali Government reform efforts '' ( PDF ). United Nations. Retrieved 3 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Somalia - UNOSOM II : Background ''. United Nations. Retrieved 3 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Richard B. Cheney - George H.W. Bush Administration ''. US Office of the Secretary of Defense. Retrieved 3 May 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Twentieth Century Atlas -- Death Tolls and Casualty Statistics for Wars, Dictatorships and Genocides ''. Users.erols.com. Retrieved April 20, 2011. Jump up ^ Fearon, James D. ( 2004 ). `` Why Do Some Civil Wars Last So Much Longer Than Others ? ''. Journal of Peace Research. 41 ( 3 ) : 275 -- 301. doi : 10.1177 / 0022343304043770. Jump up ^ Robinson, Colin ( 2016 ). `` Revisiting the rise and fall of the Somali Armed Forces, 1960 -- 2012 ''. Defense & Security Analysis. 32 ( 3 ) : 237 -- 252. doi : 10.1080 / 14751798.2016. 1199122. Jump up ^ c.f. UCDP datasets for SNA, SRRC, USC, SNM, ARS / UIC and Al - Shabaab tolls. Jump up ^ UCDP non-state conflict tolls Jump up ^ `` UNHCR report : More displaced now than after WWII ''. ^ Jump up to : Ken Menkhaus, ' Local Security Systems in Somali East Africa, ' in Andersen / Moller / Stepputat ( eds. ), Fragile States and Insecure People, ' Palgrave, 2007, 73. Archived February 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Legum, Colin ( 1989 ). Africa Contemporary Record : Annual Survey and Documents, Volume 20. Africa Research Limited. p. B - 394. Jump up ^ Bongartz, Maria ( 1991 ). The civil war in Somalia : its genesis and dynamics. Nordiska Afrikainstitutet. p. 24. ^ Jump up to : Central Intelligence Agency ( 2011 ). `` Somalia ''. The World Factbook. Langley, Virginia : Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved October 5, 2011. ^ Jump up to : Central Intelligence Agency ( 2011 ). `` Somalia - Government - Judicial branch ''. The World Factbook. Langley, Virginia : Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ Ken Menkhaus, `` Local Security Systems in Somali East Africa, '' Fragile States and Insecure People, 2007, 73. Jump up ^ Jamal, Ahmad Rashid. `` Identifying Causes of State failure : The Case of Somalia ''. Universität Konstanz Politik - und Verwaltungswissenschaften. Retrieved 22 May 2015. ; Fergusson, James ( 13 January 2013 ). `` Somalia : A failed state is back from the dead ''. The Independent. Retrieved 18 May 2015. ; Anderson, Jon Lee ( 14 December 2009 ). `` The Most Failed State ''. The New Yorker. Retrieved 18 May 2015. Jump up ^ Central Intelligence Agency ( 2003 ). `` Somalia - Government - Judicial branch ''. The World Factbook. Langley, Virginia : Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved 18 May 2015. ^ Jump up to : In 2007, Menkhaus wrote that '... armed conflict in Somalia has generally subsided since the early 1990s. Armed clashes continue to break out, but are nowhere near the scale and intensity of the fighting that destroyed Hargeisa in 1988 -- 89 or Mogadishu in 1991 -- 92. Menkhaus, FSIP, 2007, 75. Jump up ^ Menkhaus 2007, op. cit., 76. Jump up ^ Messner, J.J. ( 24 June 2014 ). `` Failed States Index 2014 : Somalia Displaced as Most - Fragile State ''. The Fund for Peace. Retrieved 18 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Kenya launches offensive in Somalia ''. Reuters. 16 October 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2015. Jump up ^ United Nations Security Council, Report of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2002 ( 2011 ), S / 2012 / 544, p. 226 Jump up ^ `` Kenya -- KDF ''. AMIS. Retrieved 5 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Communiqué on Secretary - General 's Mini-Summit on Somalia ''. United Nations. Retrieved 18 May 2015. Jump up ^ Balthasar, Dominik ( 19 November 2014 ). `` New Approaches Are Needed for State - Building in Somalia ''. Fair Observer. Retrieved 26 June 2015. Jump up ^ Messner, J.J. ( 24 June 2013 ). `` Failed States Index 2013 : What Were You Expecting ? ''. The Fund for Peace. Retrieved 26 June 2015. Jump up ^ `` The European Union announces more than € 124 million to increase security in Somalia ''. European Commissioner. Retrieved 22 May 2015. Jump up ^ Kay, Nicholas. `` Somalia 's Year of Delivery ''. Goobjoog. Retrieved 22 May 2015. ^ Jump up to : World of Information ( Firm ), Africa review, ( World of Information : 1987 ), p. 213. ^ Jump up to : Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller, William Overstreet, Political Handbook of the World 2008, ( CQ Press : 2008 ), p. 1198. Jump up ^ National Academy of Sciences ( U.S. ). Committee on Human Rights, Institute of Medicine ( U.S. ). Committee on Health and Human Rights, Scientists and human rights in Somalia : report of a delegation, ( National Academies : 1988 ), p. 9. ^ Jump up to : `` Somalia -- Government ''. Library of Congress. Retrieved February 15, 2014. Jump up ^ Bloomfield, Steve ( June 11, 2007 ). `` Aden Abdulle Osman -- First President of Somalia ''. The Independent. Archived from the original on December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013. Jump up ^ Horn of Africa Bulletin, Volumes 3 -- 4. Life & Peace Institute. 1991. p. 14. Jump up ^ Adam, Hussein ( 1998 ). Somalia : Personal Rule, Military Rule and Militarism ( in ) Hutchful and Bathily, The Military and Militarism in Africa. Dakar : Council for the Development of Economic and Social Research in Africa ( CODESRIA ). p. 389. ISBN 2 - 86978 - 069 - 9. Jump up ^ Nina J. Fitzgerald, Somalia : issues, history, and bibliography, ( Nova Publishers : 2002 ), p. 19. Jump up ^ Ciisa - Salwe, Cabdisalaam M. ( 1996 ). The collapse of the Somali state : the impact of the colonial legacy. HAAN Publishing. p. 104. ISBN 187420991X. Jump up ^ Silanyo, Ahmed M. `` A Proposal to the Somali National Movement : On a Framework for a Transitional Government in Somalia '' ( PDF ). Wardheernews. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on May 11, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2014. Jump up ^ Library Information and Research Service, The Middle East : Abstracts and index, Volume 2, ( Library Information and Research Service : 1999 ), p. 327. ^ Jump up to : Interpeace, ' The search for peace : A history of mediation in Somalia since 1988, ' Interpeace, May 2009, 13 -- 14. Archived February 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Clancy, Tom ; Tony Zinni ; Tony Koltz ( 2005 ). Battle Ready : Study in Command Commander Series. Penguin. pp. 234 -- 236. ISBN 978 - 0 - 425 - 19892 - 6. Jump up ^ Mohamed Ahmed Jama, `` Securing Mogadishu : Neighbourhood Watches, '' in Whose Peace is it anyway ? Connecting Somali and International Peacemaking Approaches, Accord 21, Conciliation Resources, 2010, 66. Jump up ^ Ken Rutherford, Humanitarianism Under Fire : The US and UN Intervention in Somalia, Kumarian Press, July 2008 ISBN 1 - 56549 - 260 - 9 Jump up ^ `` United Nations Operation In Somalia I -- ( Unosom I ) ''. United Nations. Retrieved January 29, 2012. Jump up ^ For further details on UNOSOM - sponsored local - level community - based reconciliation conferences, see Menkhaus, ' International Peacebuilding and the Dynamics of Local and National Reconciliation in Somalia, ' International Peacekeeping, Vol. 3, No. 1, Spring 1996, 52. Jump up ^ See also Report of the Secretary - General on Somalia, S / 1995 / 231 ( March 28, 1995 ). Jump up ^ `` Report of the Secretary - General on the Situation in Somalia ( S / 1996 / 42 ) '' ( PDF ). January 19, 1996. Retrieved February 14, 2014., page 2, paragraph 7. Jump up ^ Djibouti Conference. Jump up ^ Associated Press ( September 19, 1995 ). `` Aidid troops kill Somalis, capture city ''. The Register - Guard. Retrieved May 16, 2013. ^ Jump up to : S / 1996 / 42, 26, 27, 28, 29 Jump up ^ Report of the Secretary - General on the Situation in Somalia, S / 1997 / 135, February 17, 1997, paragraphs 6, 7, and 9. For later occurrences 1997 to 2000, see S / 1997 / 715, S / 1999 / 882, and S / 2000 / 1211 ( December 19, 2000 ). Jump up ^ Somalia : Puntland 's Experience in Peace - building and State - building Jump up ^ `` Somalia : IRIN interview with Hussein Aideed, 5 / 4 / 99 ''. IRIN. Retrieved 19 April 2014. Jump up ^ Strategic Survey 1999 - 2000, 264. Jump up ^ `` August 2000 -- Somalia ''. Rulers. Retrieved October 6, 2013. Jump up ^ Interpeace, ' The search for peace : A history of mediation in Somalia since 1988, ' Interpeace, May 2009, 59 - 60 Jump up ^ Interpeace, May 2009, 60 - 61. ^ Jump up to : `` Ethiopian Invasion of Somalia ''. Globalpolicy.org. 2007 - 08 - 14. Retrieved 2010 - 06 - 27. Jump up ^ Ken Menkhaus, `` Local Security Systems in Somali East Africa '', in Andersen / Moller / Stepputat ( eds. ), Fragile States and Insecure People, Palgrave, 2007, 67. ^ Jump up to : `` Profile : Somali 's newly resigned President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed ''. News.xinhuanet.com. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2013. Jump up ^ Ken Menkhaus, ' Somalia : What went wrong ? ' The RUSI Journal, Vol. 154, No. 4, August 2009, 8. Menkhaus says in addition : ' ( f ) or details, see Human Rights Watch, ' Shell - shocked : Civilians under siege in Mogadishu, ' August 13, 2007, and HRW, ' So Much to Fear : War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia, ' December 2008. ' Jump up ^ Menkhaus, ibid. Jump up ^ Interpeace, May 2009, 61. ^ Jump up to : Wezeman, Pieter D. `` Arms flows and conflict in Somalia '' ( PDF ). SIPRI. Retrieved February 10, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Background and Political Developments ''. AMISOM. Archived from the original on August 21, 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2014. Jump up ^ International Crisis Group, Somalia : To Move Beyond the Failed State, Africa Report N ° 147 -- December 23, 2008, 25. Jump up ^ `` USCIRF Annual Report 2009 -- The Commission 's Watch List : Somalia ''. USCIRF. Retrieved February 15, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Somalia : Guide to Puntland Election 2009 ''. Garoweonline.com. December 25, 2008. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Opening Annual General Assembly Debate, Secretary - General Urges Member States to Press in Tackling Poverty, Terrorism, Human Rights Abuses, Conflicts ''. Unis.unvienna.org. Retrieved June 12, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Somalia 's president quits office '', BBC News, December 29, 2008. Jump up ^ `` Somali President Yusuf resigns '', Reuters ( FT.com ), December 29, 2008. Jump up ^ Kamaal says : ( May 22, 2010 ). `` UN boss urges support for Somalia ahead of Istanbul summit ''. Horseedmedia.net. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 27, 2010. Jump up ^ `` Islamists break Somali port truce ''. BBC News. October 21, 2009. Retrieved June 27, 2010. Jump up ^ Shariah in Somalia -- Arab News Jump up ^ Online, Garowe ( January 12, 2011 ). `` Somalia President, Parliament Speaker dispute over TFG term ''. Garoweonline.com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Security Council Meeting on Somalia ''. Somaliweyn.org. Archived from the original on January 5, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Al - Shabaab Evicted from Mogadishu ''. Somalia Report. Retrieved February 14, 2014. Jump up ^ Chothia, Farouk ( August 9, 2011 ). `` Could Somali famine deal a fatal blow to al - Shabab ? ''. BBC. Jump up ^ Reuters ( October 16, 2011 ). `` Kenya launches offensive in Somalia ''. National Post. Jump up ^ `` Joint Communique -- Operation Linda Nchi ''. Kenya High Commission, Tanzania. Retrieved September 25, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Somalia government supports Kenyan forces ' mission ''. Standardmedia.co.ke. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Jump up ^ Azikiwe, Abayomi ( January 4, 2012 ). `` Leaked cables confirm U.S. role in Somalia war ''. Pan-African News Wire. Retrieved February 16, 2014. Jump up ^ Anderson, David ; McKnight, Jacob ( 2015 ). `` Kenya at war : Al - Shabaab and its enemies in Eastern Africa ''. African Affairs. 114 ( 454 ) : 1 -- 27. doi : 10.1093 / afraf / adu082. Jump up ^ `` Kenya : Defense Minister appointed as acting Internal Security Minister ''. Garowe Online. June 19, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012. Jump up ^ Chonghaile, Clar Ni ( September 28, 2012 ). `` Kenyan troops launch beach assault on Somali city of Kismayo ''. The Guardian. Retrieved September 28, 2012. Jump up ^ `` United Nations Security Council Resolution 2093 ''. S / RES / 2093 ( 2013 ), March 6, 2013 Jump up ^ Hammond, Laura ( 2013 ). `` Somalia rising : things are starting to change for the world 's longest failed state ''. Journal of Eastern African Studies. 7 ( 1 ) : 183 -- 193. doi : 10.1080 / 17531055.2012. 755316. Retrieved February 16, 2014. Jump up ^ `` U.S. military advisers deployed to Somalia to help African forces ''. Reuters. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014. Jump up ^ Martinez, Luis ( January 10, 2014 ). `` U.S. Military Advisers Deployed to Somalia : First Time Since Blackhawk Down ''. ABC News. Retrieved January 12, 2014. Jump up ^ Tekle, Tesfa - Alem ( November 12, 2013 ). `` Somalia : Ethiopia Decides to Join Amisom Force in Somalia ''. Sudan Tribune. Retrieved January 12, 2014. Jump up ^ Ali, Hassan ( November 12, 2013 ). `` Somali government welcomes Ethiopia AMISOM integration ''. Dalsan Radio. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved February 16, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Comment on Ethiopian troops formally join AMISOM peacekeepers in Somalia ''. Foreign Affairs. February 14, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ethiopian Forces formally integrated into AMISOM ''. AMISOM. Retrieved February 14, 2014. Jump up ^ `` Mohamud wants UN to extend weapons purchasing mandate ''. Sabahi. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Somalia diverting arms to al - Shabab, UN report claims ''. BBC News. February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Somali Government official denies U.N arms diversion allegations ''. Horseed Media. 15 February 2014. Archived from the original on February 16, 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Federal government of Somalia denies the report issued by UN monitoring group ''. Goobjoog. February 15, 2014. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2014. Jump up ^ `` SOMALIA : Military chief says UN Monitoring Group wants Al Shabab to become an endless project ''. Raxanreeb. 17 February 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ethiopia : The Prime Minister of Somalia On a Visit to Ethiopia ''. Government of Ethiopia. Retrieved 17 February 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` UN Security Council Extends Arms Embargo lift on Somalia to eight months ''. Horseed Media. 6 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014. ^ Jump up to : Charbonneau, Louis ( 6 March 2014 ). `` U.N. extends partial easing of Somalia arms embargo to October ''. Reuters. Retrieved 6 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` Somalia : Federal Govt, AMISOM troops clash with Al Shabaab ''. Garowe Online. 11 March 2014. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` SOMALIA : PM hosts meeting with International Community diplomats on stabilisation efforts ''. Raxanreeb. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` SOMALIA : The capture of Qoryooley is critical for the operations to liberate Barawe, Amisom head says ''. Raxanreeb. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` SOMALIA : Elbur town falls for Somali Army and Amisom ''. Raxanreeb. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014. Jump up ^ `` Somalia, AU troops close in on key Shebab base ''. AFP. March 22, 2014. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014. Jump up ^ `` SOMALIA : President says Godane is dead, now is the chance for the members of al - Shabaab to embrace peace ''. Raxanreeb. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` Pentagon Confirms Death of Somalia Terror Leader ''. Associated Press. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Conflict Trends ( No. 23 ) Real - time Analysis of African Political Violence, February 2014 '' ( PDF ). ACLED. Retrieved 16 March 2014. Further reading Afyare Abdi Elmi. Understanding the Somalia conflagration : Identity, political Islam and peacebuilding. Pluto Press, 2010. Barnes, Cedric, and Harun Hassan. `` The rise and fall of Mogadishu 's Islamic Courts. '' Journal of Eastern African Studies 1, no. 2 ( 2007 ) : 151 -- 160. Bøås, Morten. `` Returning to realities : a building - block approach to state and statecraft in Eastern Congo and Somalia. '' Conflict, Security & Development 10, no. 4 ( 2010 ) : 443 -- 464. I.M. Lewis. A Modern History of the Somali : Nation and State in the Horn of Africa, Athens : Ohio University Press, 2002, ISBN 978 - 0 - 8214 - 1495 - 8. Jutta Bakonyi. Authority and administration beyond the state : local governance in southern Somalia, 1995 -- 2006, Journal of Eastern African Studies, Vol. 7, Issue 2, 2013. Ken Menkhaus. Somalia : State collapse and the threat of terrorism. Adelphi Papers No. 364, Routledge, 2008. McGregor, Andrew. `` The Leading Factions Behind the Somali Insurgency. '' Terrorism Monitor, Volume V, Issue 8, April 26, 2007. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Somali Civil War. Somalia 's Struggle for Stability from The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer Somali -- U.S. Relations from the Dean Peter Krogh Foreign Affairs Digital Archives Somalia Operations : Lessons Learned by Kenneth Allard ( CCRP, 1995 ) `` Preserving American Security Ties to Somalia, '' by Michael Johns, The Heritage Foundation, December 26, 1989. Changed Arab attitudes to Somalia Conflict Security Council Report, United Nations Sanctions Committee on Somalia : Documents War in Somalia ( 2006 -- 2009 ) Part of the Somali Civil War Ethiopian -- Somali conflict War on Terror Timeline 2006 2007 2008 2009 Background History of Somalia ( 1991 -- 2006 ) Greater Somalia Operation Enduring Freedom -- Horn of Africa Somali Civil War Factions Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts Propaganda Disarmament Advance of the Islamic Courts Union ( 2006 ) Battle of Mogadishu ( 2006 ) Ethiopian -- Somali conflict Insurgency in Ogaden Somali Reconciliation Conferences 1993 2002 2007 Battles Battle of Baidoa Battle of Bandiradley Battle of Beledweyne ( 2006 ) Battle of Jowhar Fall of Mogadishu Battle of Jilib Fall of Kismayo Battle of Ras Kamboni Battle of Mogadishu ( March -- April 2007 ) Battle of Bargal ( 2007 ) Battle of Mogadishu ( November 2007 ) Battle of Mogadishu ( 2008 ) Battle of Beledweyne ( 2008 ) Siege of Baidoa Battle of Kismayo ( 2008 ) OEF -- HOA Battle of Ras Kamboni Battle of Bargal ( 2007 ) Dobley airstrike Dhusamareb airstrike Other events 2007 Mogadishu TransAVIAexport Airlines Il - 76 crash February 2008 Bosaso bombings Al - Hidaya Mosque massacre 2008 Mogadishu bombings 2008 Hargeisa -- Bosaso bombings Key players Ethiopia Meles Zenawi Gabre Heard Islamic Courts Union Hassan Dahir Aweys Sharif Sheikh Ahmed al - Itihaad al - Islamiya Hassan Abdullah Hersi al - Turki Hizbul Shabaab Mukhtar Robow Aden Hashi Farah ARPCT Abdi Hasan Awale Mohamed Omar Habeb Transitional Federal Parliament Ali Mohammed Ghedi Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Puntland Mohamud Muse Hersi Galmudug Mohamed Warsame Ali United States Jendayi Frazer AMISOM Yoweri Museveni Next phase : War in Somalia ( 2009 -- present ) War in Somalia ( 2009 -- present ) Part of the Somali Civil War War on Terror Timeline 2009 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Background History of Somalia ( 1991 -- 2006 ) Greater Somalia Operation Enduring Freedom -- Horn of Africa Somali Civil War Factions Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts Propaganda Disarmament Advance of the Islamic Courts Union ( 2006 ) Battle of Mogadishu ( 2006 ) Ethiopian -- Somali conflict Insurgency in Ogaden Somali Reconciliation Conferences 1993 2002 2007 Operations and battles Battle of South Mogadishu Battle of Mogadishu ( 2009 ) Battle for Central Somalia ( 2009 ) Battle of Wabho Battle of Kismayo ( 2009 ) Battle of Beledweyne ( 2010 ) 2010 Ayn clashes 2010 Kenya -- Al - Shabaab border clash Galgala campaign Battle of Mogadishu ( 2010 -- 11 ) Battle of Beledweyne ( 2011 ) Battle of Gedo Battle of Elwaq Battle of Jubbada Hoose Operation Linda Nchi Battle of Kismayo ( 2012 ) Battle of Yurkud ( 2012 ) Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt Operation Indian Ocean Battle of Leego ( 2015 ) Battle of Janale ( 2015 ) Battle of El Adde Qandala campaign Battle of Kulbiyow 2017 Barii raid Battle of Af Urur Golweyn ambush Bombings 2009 African Union base bombings in Mogadishu 2009 Beledweyne bombing 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing May 2010 Mogadishu bombings Muna Hotel attack July 2010 Kampala attacks 2011 Mogadishu bombing Battle of Deynile 2014 Villa Somalia attack 2014 Hotel Amalo attack 2015 Central Hotel attack Makka al - Mukarama hotel attack 2015 Garowe attack 2015 Ministry of Higher Education attack Jazeera Palace Hotel bombing January 2016 Mogadishu attack February 2016 Mogadishu attack Baidoa suicide bombing June 2016 Mogadishu attacks November 2016 Mogadishu car bombing December 2016 Mogadishu suicide bombing January 2017 Mogadishu bombings February 2017 Mogadishu bombing 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings 28 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings February 2018 Mogadishu attack OEF -- HOA 2009 Baraawe raid Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt 2013 Barawe raid 2017 Barii raid Other events Death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor London Somalia Conference Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy Daallo Airlines Flight 159 Awdinle massacre Key players Al - Shabaab Mukhtar Robow Ali Dhere Fuad Qalaf Hizbul Islam Hassan Dahir Aweys Hassan Abdullah Hersi al - Turki Federal Government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ahlu Suna Wal Jamea Galmudug Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid Puntland Abdiweli Mohamed Ali AMISOM AFRICOM Islamic State in Somalia Previous phase : War in Somalia ( 2006 -- 2009 ) Somalia articles History Chronology Laas Geel Land of Punt Walashma dynasty Adal Sultanate Warsangali Sultanate Ajuran Empire Sultanate of the Geledi Majeerteen Sultanate Sultanate of Hobyo Dervish state Italian Somaliland British Somaliland Trust Territory of Somaliland Ogaden War Rebellion ( 1986 -- 1992 ) Piracy Civil War War in Somalia ( 2006 -- 2009 ) War in Somalia ( 2009 -- present ) By topic Maritime Military Postal Geography Cities Climate Wildlife Greater Somalia Cape Guardafui Hafun Waterfalls Iskushuban Lamadaya Mountain ranges Golis Mountains Cal Madow Ogo Mountains Mountains Shimbiris Bahaya Dul Madoba Island Sa'ad ad - Din Islands Bajuni Islands Regions Awdal Bakool Banaadir Bari Bay Galguduud Gedo Hiran Middle Juba Lower Juba Mudug Nugal Sanaag Middle Shebelle Lower Shebelle Sool Togdheer Woqooyi Galbeed States Galmudug Hirshabelle Jubaland Puntland Somaliland Khatumo South West State Politics Cabinet Constitution Elections Foreign relations Government Human rights LGBT LGBT history Judiciary Law ( Xeer ) Parliament Speaker Political parties President List Prime Minister of Somalia List Military History National Army Air Force Navy Economy Agriculture Central Bank Companies Economic history EEZ Mineral industry Oil industry Shilling ( currency ) Communications Tourism Transportation Society Anthem Coat of arms Demographics Diaspora Education Flag Public holidays Culture Architecture Art Cinema Cuisine Literature Media Music Religion Sports Languages Book Category Portal Puntland articles History Laas Geel Land of Punt Mosylon Opone Damo Majeerteen Sultanate Warsangali Sultanate Dervish state Italian Somaliland Trust Territory of Somaliland Rebellion Civil War Border dispute Geography Greater Somalia Horn of Africa Regions Mount Shimbiris Cal Madow Nugaal Valley Ras Hafun Cape Guardafui Politics Constitution Elections Foreign relations Military Puntland Dervish Force Puntland Intelligence Agency Puntland Maritime Police Force Parliament President Economy Oil exploration in Puntland Economy Culture Anthem Cuisine Demographics Flag Languages Literature People diaspora Religion Outline Category Portal Somaliland articles History Chronology Laas Geel Dhambalin Land of Punt Malao Sultanate of Ifat Adal Sultanate Warsangali Sultanate Dervish state British Somaliland Postage stamps and postal history of British Somaliland Somaliland campaign Somaliland campaign ( 1920 ) Italian conquest of British Somaliland Somaliland Camel Corps List of colonial governors of British Somaliland State of Somaliland Rebellion Civil War Somaliland Isaaq genocide National Movement Border dispute By topic Maritime Military Postal Geography Cities Climate Wildlife Greater Somalia Waterfalls Lamadaya Mountain ranges Golis Mountains Cal Madow Ogo Mountains Mountains Shimbiris Bahaya Dul Madoba Islands Sa'ad ad - Din Islands Regions Awdal Sanaag Sool Togdheer Woqooyi Galbeed Politics Cabinet Constitution Elections Foreign relations Government Human rights LGBT LGBT history Judiciary Law ( Xeer ) Parliament Political parties President List Vice-President of Somaliland List Military History National Army Air Force Navy Economy Agriculture Central Bank Companies Economic history EEZ Mineral industry Oil industry Shilling ( currency ) Telecommunications Tourism Transport airports Society Anthem National emblem Demographics Education Flag Public holidays Culture Architecture Art Cuisine Literature Media Music Religion Sports Languages Book Category Portal Ongoing armed conflicts Africa ADF insurgency Batwa - Luba clashes Boko Haram insurgency Burundian unrest Central African Republic Civil War Communal conflicts in Nigeria Conflict in the Niger Delta Eritrean -- Ethiopian border conflict Second Afar insurgency Ethnic violence in South Sudan South Sudanese Civil War Insurgency in Egypt Insurgency in the Maghreb ISIL insurgency in Tunisia Islamist insurgency in Mozambique Ituri conflict Kamwina Nsapu rebellion ‎ Katanga insurgency Kivu conflict Libyan Crisis Second Civil War Lord 's Resistance Army insurgency Northern Mali conflict Ogaden insurgency Oromo - 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Kenyan conflict Likoni Massacres 2007 -- 08 Kenyan crisis 2012 -- 13 Tana River District clashes Baragoi clashes South Sudanese conflicts ( 2011 -- present ) Heglig Crisis Sudanese nomadic conflicts Ethnic violence in South Sudan South Sudanese Civil War Insurgency in the Ogaden ( 1995 - present ) Second Afar Insurgency ( 1995 - present ) Ugandan conflicts Lord 's Resistance Army insurgency ( 1987 -- present ) Allied Democratic Forces insurgency ( 1996 - present ) Oromo - Somali clashes Southern Africa Bophuthatswana crisis ( 1994 ) Caprivian conflict ( 1994 -- 99 ) SADC intervention in Lesotho ( 1998 - 99 ) 2014 Lesotho political crisis Mozambican conflicts RENAMO insurgency ( 2013 -- present ) Islamist insurgency in Mozambique Related topics War on Terror ( 2001 -- present ) Arab Spring ( 2010 -- 11 ) Arab Winter Colour revolutions European conflicts Asian conflicts Middle East conflicts Conflicts in the Americas Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Somali_Civil_War&oldid=827605506 '' Categories : Somali Civil War 1990s conflicts 2000s conflicts 2010s civil wars Civil wars post-1945 Modern history of Somalia Wars involving Somalia Ongoing conflicts Civil wars involving the states and peoples of Africa Communism - based civil wars Religion - based civil wars Revolution - based civil wars Succession - based civil wars Coup - based civil wars Separatist rebellion - based civil wars Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from June 2016 Wikipedia articles in need of updating from December 2016 All Wikipedia articles in need of updating Use mdy dates from March 2014 Articles containing Somali - language text Articles containing Arabic - language text All articles with specifically marked weasel - worded phrases Articles with specifically marked weasel - worded phrases from October 2016 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from October 2016 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Languages Беларуская Català Čeština Cymraeg Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Esperanto Euskara فارسی Français Galego 贛 語 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Interlingua Italiano עברית Latviešu Magyar Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk ਪੰਜਾਬੀ پنجابی Polski Português Русский Soomaaliga Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe Українська 吴语 粵語 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 25 February 2018, at 18 : 24. 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Question: when did civil war break out in somalia
Answer: 23 May 1986 (or 26 January 1991)