# Burco-Duuray offensive

The Burco-Duuray offensive (Somali: Gudogalkii Burco Duuray}) was a confrontation during the Somaliland War of Independence, fought on 17 October 1984 between the Somali National Movement and the Somali National Army near Burco-duuray in the Jarar Zone of Ethiopia. The SNM, led by Mohammed Hashi Lihle, launched an offensive with around 400 fighters against a heavily armed SNA garrison of 1,000 soldiers and 70 technical vehicles. Despite being outnumbered, the SNM achieved a decisive victory, killing 170 SNA troops and destroying 17 vehicles, though they lost 27 fighters, including their commander.

## Background
### Somali National Movement and the Somaliland War of Independence

The Somali National Movement was founded in 1981 by members of the Isaaq clan who sought to overthrow the dictatorship of Siad Barre and secure the self-determination of Somaliland. The Barre regime, dominated by the Marehan sub-clan of the Darod, engaged in systematic oppression of the Isaaq population, culminating in what is now recognized as the Isaaq Genocide. Between 1987 and 1989, the Somali National Army (SNA) killed an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 Isaaq civilians, bombed major cities such as Hargeisa and Burco, and displaced hundreds of thousands.
The SNM emerged as the primary armed resistance to Barre's regime, carrying out guerrilla warfare and securing support from the Ethiopian government, which hosted their bases near the Somaliland border. The Somaliland War of Independence, waged between 1981 and 1991, was characterized by brutal atrocities, urban warfare, and SNM-led offensives to reclaim territories and resist the Barre regime's military campaigns.

### Prelude to the Battle

By 1984, the SNM had shifted from smaller raids to full-scale offensives targeting key Somali National Army (SNA) garrisons. One such operation was planned against Burco-duuray, a strategically significant outpost near the border with Somaliland. The SNA stationed approximately 1,000 soldiers, supported by 70 technicals and heavy military equipment, in the area to counter SNM activity.
The SNM's 1st Brigade, led by Mohamed Hashi Lihle, aimed to neutralize the garrison and demonstrate their growing strength. However, the operation came at a significant cost, as Mohammed Hashi Lihle would lose his life in the ensuing battle.

## The Battle

On 17 October 1984, the 1st Brigade of the SNM, consisting of around 400 fighters, launched an offensive against the SNA garrison at Burco-duuray. Despite being outnumbered, the SNM utilized guerrilla tactics and their knowledge of the terrain to gain the upper hand.
The SNA, which had numerical superiority and a significant arsenal of technical vehicles, responded with heavy firepower. After hours of intense combat, the SNM succeeded in overwhelming the garrison, inflicting heavy casualties and destroying military vehicles.
The SNM lost 27 fighters, including their commander, Mohammed Hashi Lihle, a major blow to the movement. On the other hand, the SNA suffered 170 fatalities, and 17 vehicles were destroyed.

## Aftermath

The Battle of Burco-duuray marked a significant victory for the SNM, demonstrating their ability to challenge the Somali National Army despite being heavily outnumbered. The loss of Mohammed Hashi Lihle, however, was a major setback for the SNM leadership. The victory at Burco-duuray strengthened the SNM's morale and solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the struggle for Somaliland's independence.
The battle was part of a broader strategy by the SNM to weaken the SNA's grip on Somaliland and inspire further resistance against Siad Barre's regime. By the late 1980s, the SNM had liberated significant portions of Somaliland, laying the groundwork for the eventual declaration of independence in 1991.
In Somaliland today, the battle is commemorated as a critical milestone in the fight for self-determination. Annual tributes are paid to the SNM fighters who sacrificed their lives during the conflict.