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The United States in Somalia

The United States in Somalia. “Operation Restore Hope” August – October 1992. Where is Somalia?. Brief History of Somalia. Post-World War II Was a protectorate of Great Britain 1960 Achieved independence 1970s Military dictatorship Under Mohamed Siad Barre 1980s

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The United States in Somalia

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  1. The United States in Somalia “Operation Restore Hope” August – October 1992

  2. Where is Somalia?

  3. Brief History of Somalia • Post-World War II • Was a protectorate of Great Britain • 1960 • Achieved independence • 1970s • Military dictatorship • Under Mohamed Siad Barre • 1980s • Somalia's strategic importance was diminished due to end of the Cold War • Government became even more totalitarian

  4. Somali Civil War – 1991 • Results of the Somali Civil War • Barre is ousted from leadership • Disrupted agriculture, food & water distribution • Based on clan allegiances and competition for resources

  5. Somali Civil War – 1991 • More Results • Famine – approx. 300,000 dead • UN Security Council authorized the limited peacekeeping operation • Completely disregarded by the warring factions

  6. Warlords • The country was ruled by a number of warlords • A person with power who has military and civil control over a an area • Armed forces loyal to the warlord and not to a central government • Alliance of warlords was formed in 1992 • Operated under the authority of Mohamed Farrah Aidid • Declared himself President of Somalia

  7. United States Response • In December of 1992, President Bush ordered Operation Restore Hope • Primary mission of restoring order in Somalia • President Bill Clinton took office in January 1993 and continued the Operation

  8. The Home-Front • Many Somalis resented the international forces • Many took up arms and actively resisted the UN and US • On June 5, 1993, one of the deadliest attacks on UN forces in Somalia occurred • 24 UN soldiers were killed in Mogadishu (controlled by Aidid)

  9. The UN Responds • The next day, the UN issued Resolution 837 calling for the arrest and trial of those responsible for the ambush • US and UN began an attack on Aidid’s control • Aidid remained defiant, and the violence between Somalis and UN troops escalated

  10. The Battle of Mogadishu • Fought on October 3 and 4, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia • Operation was to capture top officials to Aidid

  11. The Battle of Mogadishu • During the operation, two US Black Hawk helicopters were shot down • Some soldiers were trapped at the crash sites • A combined task force was sent to rescue the trapped soldiers • Results • US Forces • 19 Killed • 84 Wounded • Somali Forces • Est. 700+ Killed • Est. 1,500 Wounded

  12. Fallout from Mogadishu

  13. Fallout from Mogadishu • American Foreign Policy • Became a cautionary influence on US policy • When US considers sending soldiers into foreign crisis zones – “remember Somalia” • Americans were repulsed at the images of soldiers' corpses being dragged through the streets

  14. The End of International Involvement • Withdrawal • President Clinton called for a full withdrawal by March 1994. • Marines were completely removed from the area by 1995 • The UN also withdrew forces • Ended the UN effort to help a country in anarchy and civil war

  15. The End of International Involvement • Results • Secretary of Defense Les Aspin resigned • Blamed for denying the US Army permission to use tanks • US politicians didn’t want tanks in Somalia • Thought it would look bad for “peacekeeping”

  16. THE END

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