Battle of Mogadishu (2006)

Last updated

Second Battle of Mogadishu
Part of the Advance of the Islamic Courts Union
Somalia&land map.png
Location of Mogadishu in Somalia
Date7 May – 11 July 2006
Location
Mogadishu, Somalia
Result Islamic Courts Union victory
Belligerents
Shahadah Flag.svg Islamic Courts Union Flag of Somalia.svg Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism
Commanders and leaders
Sheikh Sharif Ahmed
Hassan Dahir Aweys 		Mohamed Qanyare
Musa Sudi Yalahow
Nuur Daqle
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Over 350 deaths [1]

The Second Battle of Mogadishu was fought for control of Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu. The opposing forces were the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT), and militia loyal to the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The conflict began in mid-February 2006, when Somali warlords formed the ARPCT to challenge the ICU's emerging influence. The ICU's influence was largely generated by wealthy financial donors who sought to enable the Islamic Courts Union to seize power in the country to bring stability. [2] The battle is referred to as the Second Battle to distinguish it amongst the nine major Battles of Mogadishu during the decades-long Somali Civil War.

Contents

It was found after the battle that the United States was supporting the ARPCT [3] due to concerns that the ICU had ties to al-Qaeda. [4] The ICU militia won control of Mogadishu and ARPCT forces left the city.

Background

In 2005, it was reported that multiple independent Islamic courts had started to work cooperatively under the umbrella of Shariah Law, which would then become the Islamic Courts Union. [5] This movement then seize power of Mogadishu, creating an Islamic movement throughout Somalia. This cooperation among Islamic courts caused Somalian warlords and businessmen to band together and form the ARPCT, with the support of American and Ethiopian aid. [6] After this unification, the members began to mobilize in order to prevent an Islamic movement from taking full power over the capital city. The ARPCT began by conducting various attacks and kidnappings in early 2006, but as the year went on these aggressions caused a conflict to arise. [6]

Battle

In May 2006, the fighting intensified between warlords and militia loyal to ICU, which controlled around 80% of the city. There had been previous conflict throughout Somalia involving the ARPCT, but nothing that lasted more than a few days, so the outbreak and continuity of this battle signified that it was, in fact, a change from the previous state. [7] On 4 June 2006, the ICU seized Balad, 30 miles north of Mogadishu. Balad had previously been under the control of forces loyal to Musa Sudi Yalahow. [8] By the end of the conflict, it was reported that around 350 people had been killed, with thousands displaced. [7]

On 5 June 2006, Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi fired four ministers (who were also clan leaders) whose private armies were involved in the fighting. Gedi fired National Security Minister Mohamed Afrah Qanyare, Commerce Minister Musa Sudi Yalahow, Militia Rehabilitation Minister Botan Ise Alin and Religious Affairs Minister Omar Muhamoud Finnish, according to government spokesman Abdirahman Nur Mohamed Dinari. He also invited the Islamic courts for talks. [9]

On 5 June 2006, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, the ICU's chairman, reportedly seized Mogadishu, saying in a radio broadcast: "We won the fight against the enemy of Islam. Mogadishu is under control of its people." [10] The ICU's success has been attributed to the Islamic movement's ability to transcend clan politics. [11]

Following Mogadishu's fall, there were two competing rallies. Mogadishu's largest clan, the Abgaal, held a rally in the city's northern part, reportedly drawing about 3000. AP reports the demonstrators shouting "We don't need Islamic deception!" and "We don't want Islamic courts, we want peace!" There was a competing rally in support of the ICU. At that rally, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed is quoted as saying "Until we get the Islamic state, we will continue with the Islamic struggle in Somalia," to a crowd of about 500. [12]

With the decisive loss to the Islamic courts union, the TFG removed 4 prominent ARPCT members from their positions within the TFG. [7]

The ARPCT's remaining forces are said to have fled to Jowhar. [13] A member of the ARPCT coalition said that the coalition has "no immediate plans," following their decisive loss. [14]

On 14 June 2006, following a stand-off that lasted for approximately eight days, the ICU reportedly attacked the remaining ARPCT forces in Jowhar, routing them and seizing the town. Ali Mohamed Gedi has since then requested peacekeeping forces from the African Union, and neighboring states such as Kenya have imposed sanctions on the fleeing warlords, barring them entry into their lands. [15]

Legacy

Ali Mohamed Gedi has since requested peacekeeping forces from the African Union, and neighboring states such as Kenya have imposed sanctions on the fleeing warlords, barring them entry into their lands. [16]

In December 2006, Ethiopia declared war on the victor of the battle, the ICU. In addition to the long-standing tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over land claim, the Ethiopian government did not look favorably on the ICU being in power in Somalia. This conflict was short lived, falling in favor of Ethiopia. [17]

United States support for ARPCT

Michael Zorick (the U.S. State Department's political officer for Somalia), who had been stationed in Nairobi, was reassigned to Chad after he sent a cable to Washington criticizing Washington's policy of paying Somali warlords. The Times stated, "The American activities in Somalia have been approved by top officials in Washington and were reaffirmed during a National Security Council meeting about Somalia in March." [18]

On 7 June 2006, the Republic of the Congo's president and current African Union head, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, criticized the United States for its involvement in fighting in Mogadishu following his meeting with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. [19]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Mohammed Ghedi</span> Somalian politician

Ali Mohammed Gedi, popularly known as Ali Gedi, is a Somali politician who was the Prime Minister of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia from 2004 to 2007. He was relatively unknown in political circles upon his appointment as prime minister in November 2004. He is affiliated with the Abgaal subclan of Mogadishu's Hawiye clan, one of Somalia's four most powerful clan 'families'. He narrowly survived a suicide attack at his home that left at least seven people dead on June 3, 2007. Gedi was widely viewed as corrupt, and was replaced by Nur Hassan Hussein as PM during late 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism</span>

The Somali Warlord Alliance, officially called the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism, was a Somali alliance created by various Somali warlords and businessmen with the backing of the American Central Intelligence Agency in order to challenge the emerging influence of the Islamic Courts Union during the Somali Civil War.

Muse Sudi Yalahow born Mogadishu was a Trade Minister in the Transitional Government of Ali Mohammed Ghedi. He was dismissed in June 2006 after ignoring government requests to halt fighting with the Islamic Courts Union militia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islamic Courts Union</span> Somalian legal and political organization (2000–2009)

The Islamic Courts Union was a legal and political organization founded by Mogadishu-based Sharia courts during the early 2000s to combat the lawlessness stemming from the Somali Civil War. By mid-to-late 2006, the Islamic Courts had expanded their influence to become the de facto government in most of southern and central Somalia, succeeding in creating the first semblance of a state since 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transitional Federal Government of Somalia</span> Government of Somalia from 2004 to 2012

The Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was internationally recognized as a provisional government of the Somalia from 14 October 2004 until 20 August 2012, when its tenure officially ended and the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) was inaugurated.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassan Dahir Aweys</span> Former leader Al-itihad al-Islam Al-shabaab Hizbul Islam

Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys (English: Hassan Dahir Aweys (Somali: Xasan Daahir Aweys, is a Somali Islamist political figure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War in Somalia (2006–2009)</span> Armed conflict in the Horn of Africa

The Ethiopian invasion of Somalia, also known as the Ethiopian occupation of Somalia or the Ethiopian intervention in the Somali Civil War, was an armed conflict that lasted from late 2006 to early 2009. It began when military forces from Ethiopia, supported by the United States, invaded Somalia to depose the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and install the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The conflict continued after the invasion when an anti-Ethiopian insurgency emerged and rapidly escalated. During 2007 and 2008, the insurgency recaptured the majority of territory lost by the ICU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Islamic Courts Union offensive</span> Phase of the Somali Civil War

The 2006 Islamic Courts Union offensive is the period in the Somali Civil War that began in May 2006 with the Islamic Courts Union's (ICU) conquest of Mogadishu from the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) and continued with further ICU expansion in the country. Following the outbreak of the war on December 21, 2006; by December 24, direct Ethiopian intervention in the conflict in support of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was no longer denied by the Ethiopian government. The Eritrean government denied any involvement despite Ethiopian claims to the contrary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Baidoa</span> 2006 battle of the Somalia War

The Battle of Baidoa began on 20 December 2006 when the Somali transitional federal government forces (TFG) allied with Ethiopian forces stationed there attacked advancing Islamic Courts Union (ICU) forces along with 500 alleged Eritrean troops and mujahideen arrayed against them.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Bandiradley</span>

The Battle of Bandiradley in Somalia began on December 23, 2006, when Galmudug and Ethiopian forces, along with faction leader Abdi Qeybdid, fought Islamic Courts Union (ICU) militants defending Bandiradley. The fighting pushed the Islamists out of Bandiradley and over the border south into Adado district, Galgadud region, by December 25.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Jowhar</span> Battle during the War in Somalia

The Battle of Jowhar took place during the 2006 Somali War between the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and affiliated militias against Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces for control of the town of Jowhar. It began on December 27, 2006, when retreating ICU forces regrouped near their stronghold of Jowhar. It became the last major town and strategic stronghold of the ICU to fall to Ethiopian and TFG forces before the latter overtook Mogadishu two days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fall of Mogadishu</span> 2006 takeover of Mogadishu by TFG and Ethiopian troops during the War in Somalia (2006–09)

The fall of Mogadishu occurred on 28 December 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) advanced into the capital to install the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). The Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which had controlled the capital since June 2006, withdrew from the city after a week of fighting ENDF/TFG forces in southern and central Somalia.

Mohamed Qanyare Afrah (Somali: Maxamed Qanyare Afrax, Arabic: محمد افراح قنياري} was a Somali faction leader and politician who was based south of Mogadishu in the Daynile District. He came in third position in Somalia's first election as a federal country on 10 October 2004 and was subsequently appointed minister of public security in the government of Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi, He served as minister of security in 2006 but was dismissed after ignoring calls by the Prime Minister Ali Mohammed Ghedi to stop fighting forces of the Islamist Courts. He continued to participate actively in Somali political affairs being reelected to the first post transitional federal parliament of Somalia as a member of parliament, he resigned from his seat representing his clan in the summer of 2013, his seat in the Federal Parliament of Somalia was taken over by his son Cabdiweli Mohamed Qanyare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Jilib</span> Battle in the 2006 Somali War

The Battle of Jilib took place on the last day of 2006 during the Ethiopian invasion of Somalia. It was fought when Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) troops and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) militia launched an offensive on the town of Jilib, held by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU).

After two decades of violence and civil war and after the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia captured Mogadishu and Kismayo, the TFG attempted to disarm the militias of the country in late 2006. According to the UN/World Bank's Joint Needs Assessment (JNA) coordination secretariat, "the total estimated number of militias [militia members] to be demobilized is 53,000." In 2005, they estimated that "there are 11–15,000 militia people controlling Mogadishu ."

Mohamed Omar Habeb, commonly known as Mohamed Dheere or Mohamed Dhere, was a Somali faction leader based out of the city of Jowhar. He hailed from the Abgaal subclan of Hawiye. He also had significant influence on the northern parts of the capital Mogadishu where he controlled a militia of around 400 men.

Yusuf Mohammed Siad Indhacade, aka "Inda'ade" is a Somali former Minister. In 2011 he was a General in the Somali National Army. He hails from the Ayr sub-clan, part of the Habar Gidir, which is a branch of the Hawiye clan. For a short period he was Somali Minister of Defence (Somalia).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omar Finnish</span> Somali politician

Omar Mohamud Mohamed is a Somali politician and former warlord known as Omar Finnish. He is the former Mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banaadir. He was appointed on 22 August 2019 by Somalia President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. He stepped down on 7 September 2022 after the new president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reappointed Yusuf Hussein Jimaale as the new mayor of Mogadishu and Governor of Banaadir.

The timeline of events in the War in Somalia during 2006 is set out below.

Battle of Mogadishu may refer to:

References

  1. ↑ "Si arrende l'ultimo signore della guerra". La Repubblica . 12 July 2006.
  2. ↑ "Somalia's High Stakes Power Struggle". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  3. ↑ Financial Times background of recent history of Somalia, by Andrew England, 27 December 2006
  4. ↑ "US cash support for Somali warlords 'destabilising'". The New Zealand Herald . Reuters. 7 June 2006.
  5. ↑ Barnes, Cedric; Hassan, Harun (July 2007). "The Rise and Fall of Mogadishu's Islamic Courts". Journal of Eastern African Studies. 1 (2): 151–160. doi:10.1080/17531050701452382. ISSN   1753-1055. S2CID   154453168.
  6. 1 2 "Counter-terrorism in Somalia, or: how external interferences helped to produce militant Islamism". hornofafrica.ssrc.org. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 Group., International Crisis (2006). Can the Somali crisis be contained?. International Crisis Group. OCLC   870128243.
  8. ↑ Islamists seize key Somali town BBC 4 June 2006
  9. ↑ Somalia's prime minister sacks US-backed warlords Archived 14 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine Mail & Guardian Online 5 June 2006
  10. ↑ Mohamed Olad Hassan AP Islamic Militia Seizes Somalia's Capital Forbes 5 June 2006
  11. ↑ New power emerges from the south Archived 14 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine , Somalinet.com, 4 June 2006
  12. ↑ Mohamed Olad Hassan Thousands Rally in Somali Capital AP via The Guardian 6 June 2006
  13. ↑ Mohamed Ali Bile Somalis flee warlord stronghold fearing new battle Reuters 7 June 2006
  14. ↑ "Islamists claim control of Mogadishu". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  15. ↑ Somali Islamists capture key town BBC 14 June 2006
  16. ↑ Maliti, Tom; Olad Hassan, Mohamed (1 January 2007). "More Peacekeepers Heading to Somalia". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  17. ↑ Frenkil, Erik (September 2015). "The Lion Comes to Mogadishu: Why Ethiopia Invaded Somalia in 2006". Central European University– via Research Gate.
  18. ↑ Marc Lacey and Helene Cooper Efforts by C.I.A. Fail in Somalia, Officials Charge, The New York Times , 8 June 2006
  19. ↑ AU chair lashes US over Somalia Archived 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine ANDnetwork 7 June 2006

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.