Somali Civil War (2009–present)

War In Somalia (2009-)Template:FixBunching

War in Somalia (2009–)
Part of the Somali Civil War and War on Terrorism
Situation of the war in Somalia as of late February 2009
Date January 31, 2009 – Location Somalia Result Ongoing Sharia Law imposed in Somalia. Rebels take control over most of Mogadishu. Rebels take control over Middle Shabelle region. Large humanitarian crisis
Belligerents
Hizbul Islam al-Shabaab Foreign Mujahideen Alleged: al-Qaeda	ARS-TFG coalition Galmudug Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Puntland File:Logo of the African Union.png AMISOM Ethiopia (limited involvement)
Commanders and leaders
Hassan Dahir Aweys Omar Iman 1 Indho Ade 2 Hassan Turki Mohamed Ibrahim Hayle Moktar Abu Zubeyr Mukhtar Robow "Abu Mansur" Muktar Abdirahman "Godane" Ali "Dheere" Mohamud Ali Saleh Nabhan	Sharif Ahmed Omar Sharmarke Mohamed Abdi "Gandhi" Said Mohamed Hersi 3 Yusuf Hussein Dumal Omar Hashi Aden  † Abdulkadir Ali Omar Kiimiko Abdirahman Mohamud Farole Indho Ade 2 File:Logo of the African Union.png Levi Karuhanga
Casualties and losses
238 killed	139 killed (TFG), 50 killed (ARS), 14 killed (AMISOM) 8 killed (Ethiopia)
611 civilians killed (per news reports)
1 Sheikh Omar Iman Abubakr was leader of Hizbul Islam until 26 May, when he stepped down and handed over his position to Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys. 2 Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Indho Ade" (a warlord who is notorious for switching sides), and his militia were part of Hizbul Islam until 17 May, when he defected to the government. 3 General Said Mohamad Hersi was in charge of the Somali military until 15 May when he resigned and replaced by Yusuf Hussein Dumal, due to poor performance by government forces in the May, battle of Mogadishu

The present war in Somalia is a period in the Somali Civil War that began in early February 2009 with the conflict between several Islamist militant factions, African Union troops and clan militia in the country.

Background

Main article: War in Somalia (2006–2009)

As of January 2009, Ethiopian troops withdrew from Somalia following a two year insurgency which led to loss of territory and effectiveness of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and a power sharing deal between Islamists splinter group led by Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia Djibouti faction (ARS-D) and TFG Prime Minister Nur Hassan in Djibouti. The al-Shabaab who had separated from the moderate Islamists of the insurgency rejected the peace deal and continued to take territories including Baidoa, the headquarters of the TFG parliament. It was joined by Hisbi Islam which is an amalgamation of four Islamist group including the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia - Asmara faction. Another Islamist group, Ahlu Sunnah Waljama'ah, which was allied to the transitional government and supported by Ethiopia, continues to attack al-Shabaab and take over towns as well all though they've been effective only in the Central region of Galguduud where they ousted al-Shabaab from most of the region.

After the parliament took in 275 officials from the moderate Islamist opposition, ARS leader Sheikh Ahmed was elected TFG President on January 31, 2009. Since then, the al-Shabaab radical Islamists have accused the new TFG President of accepting the secular transitional government and have continued the civil war since he arrived in Mogadishu at the presidential palace in early February 2009.

Timeline

Main article: 2009 timeline of the War in Somalia

On February 4, 2009, four Islamist groups, including Hassan Dahir Aweys' Eritrean branch of the ARS merged and created the group Hisbi Islam, to fight the new government of Sharif Ahmed. al-Shabaab also said to fight the government. On February 8, 2009, they declared war on the new government of Sharif Ahmed and the AU peace-keepers.

New TFG President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed arrived in Mogadishu as a president for the first time on February 7, 2009. The al-Shabaab and other radical Islamists began firing at the new TFG president hours later. They accuse the new President of accepting the secular transitional government. On February 8, heavy fighting broke out in southern Mogadishu. However, al-Shabaab leader Sheikh Mukhtar Robow (Abu Mansur). met with Sharif Ahmed for peace talks during his visit to Mogadishu, while Omar Iman rejected the president. During these negotiations Sharif Ahmed said he would be prepared to enforce Sharia Law in Somalia, which is currently the hard-liners' main demand. Mukhtar Robow however denied having talked to Sharif Ahmed and vowed to continue fighting until his demands for Sharia Law are met.Sheik Mukhtar Robow is not the (Al-Shabab) leader. He was Al-shabab spokesman who has since resigned the position. According to the article titled (Al-Shabab Leader Speaks More Fighting in Mogadishu)in All Africa web site on May/13/2009, the real leader for Al-Shabab is Sheikh Muktar Abdirahman "Godane. In accordance with hiiraan online web site on Monday Jul/06/2009,[2],the real name of the Al-shabab Amir (Leader) is Ahmed Godane. This man is from Northern Somalia or Somaliland. Also Sheikh Mukhtar Robow warned Nigeria against sending peace keepers to Somalia, al-Shabaab views the AU peace keepers as occupying forces and says to continue fighting them until they withdraw from the country.

On February 10, al-Shabaab launched an offensive to take the Bakool province. Government officials who had been ousted from Baidoa had been amassing troops in the city of Hudur (Xudur) and planning a major offensive to re-take Baidoa. Islamist forces attacked the province and reached the capital were they started a battle against government forces. In Galmudug, Clan militia took the town of Masagaway from al-Shabaab. There was also fighting in Warsheekh.

On February 12, the spokesman for al-Shabaab Sheikh Mukhtar Robow (Abu Mansur) rebuffed reports from several media outlets that a mutual agreement between him and newly elected president Sharif Ahmed was made. He also added that he had no intention to contact the president on any matters, and that they would continue fighting against foreign troops and what he described as an “apostate" government. The same day they vowed war against the new government.

Main articles: 2009 African Union base bombing in Mogadishu and Battle of South Mogadishu

On February 22, a double suicide bomb attack on an AU base in Mogadishu left 11 Burundian soldiers dead and another 15 wounded. Two days later heavy fighting erupted in the city as TFG and AU forces attempted to retake the city from radical Islamist forces. The fighting lasted for two days and killed 87 people, including: 48 civilians, 15 insurgents and 6 TFG policemen.

At the same time as the fighting raged in Mogadishu al-Shabaab forces took the town of Hudor, to the north-west, in fighting that killed another 20 people: 10 TFG soldiers, 6 insurgents and 4 civilians.

On February 28, it appeared that Hisbi Islam would sign a ceasefire with the Transitional Federal Government. However, by March 1, it was clear that no ceasefire would be given, despite President Sharif Ahmed having agreed to proposals for a truce and having offered to accept the implementation of Sharia Law but refused to move troops from civilian areas despite the Islamists doing so.

On May 6, al-Shabaab announced that they would continue the war even if AMISOM withdrew.

May 25, the government announced an immediate blockade on airstrips and seaports under insurgent control to stop the flow of weapons reaching them.

Main article: Battle of Mogadishu (2009)

On May 7, a fierce battle for control of Mogadishu started between al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam against the ICU. Hundreds were killed and injured and tens of thousands were displaced. By May 11, rebel forces gained the upper hand and made large gains taking over most of the capital. Fighting continued until 14 May and though, they came close, the rebels didn't manage to overthrow the government. There were new rounds of fighting from 21-22 May and from 1-4 June.

May 16, al-Shabaab captured the strategic town of Jowhar, which connects Mogadishu with central Somalia.

Main article: Battle of Wabho

June 5, Hizbul Islam captured Wabho in one of the largest battles of the war, which left 123 combatants killed. It was also rumoured Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys was injured in this battle.

On June 19, the transitional parliament speaker Sheik Aden Mohamed Nor ("Madobe") asked the international community to send foreign troops to Somalia within the following 24 hours. He stated that that the government's power is on the verge of being defeated by Islamist forces in the Somali capital. The Cabinet declared a state of emergency and Somalia asked for help from neighbors Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Yemen. Ethiopia refused saying intervention needs an international mandate. On June 21, a spokesman for the al Shaabab Islamists said they would fight any foreign troops. al-Qaeda also made threats against Kenyan intervention.

June 22, Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed declared state of emergency in the country as a new round of fighting in Mogadishu left 12 dead and 20 injured. Hundreds were said to be fleeing the city

July 4, Sheik Abdinasir Jalil, a former commander of the training for ICU administration in Beledweyn town joined Hizbul Islam with is men and vowed to fight TFG forces in the city and attack Ethiopian forces in El-gal village, which lies 18km from Beledweyn. He said that the government officials want to bring Ethiopian troops inside town and that is the reason they switched sides. Former ICU officials who joined Hizbul Islam, held a press conference and announced that the ICU administration in Hiraan had collapsed as they joined the insurgents. Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf, top security commander in Beledweyn also defected along with his forces. General Muktar Hussein Afrah was sent to Beledweyn along with TFG troops and put in charge there by the TFG as the ICU adminstration had collapsed. Many ICU officials including MPs resigned that day, next to Sheikh Abdinasir Jalil Ahmed (head of training) and Sheikh Ibrahim Yusuf (head of security), also Sheik Osman Abdulle Barqadle, the army commander of Ugas Khalif airport and , Sheik Abdullahi Garamgaram, the deputy chief of the emergency forces resigned.

In resposne, TFG forces led by general Muktar Hussein Afrah started military manouvers in the East side of the city.

July 6, Sheikh Moktar Ali Zubeyr, the Amir of al-Shabaab gave government forces an ultimatum of 5 days to hand over their weapons. The ultimatum was rejected by Indho Ade.

Tensions with Ethiopia

On May 28, 2 Ethiopian soldiers, 1 Ethiopian civilian, 2 Somali soldiers killed, 4 Somali civilians (working for the government) and 4 Somali insurgents, were killed when insurgents attacked a convoy in carrying Omar Hashi Aden who was returning back from his visit to Ethiopia.

On May 31, Ethiopian forces launched search and seizure operations in Hiraan, in Kalaberyr village, near Beledweyn.

On June 12, Ethiopian forces with several battle wagons entered in Balanbal town in Galgudud and set up military bases.

On June 14, the Ethiopian military said it had come to fight foreign mujahedin which the military described as "foreign enemies of Ethiopia and Somalia" and launched operations to search for them in Balanbal town which they control. Sheik Hassan Ya'qub Ali, head of the information affairs for Islamic administration in Kisimayo warned the Ethiopians that "there is no candy and dates to eat from here in Somalia. But the men who chased you forcibly from the country are here in Somalia."

The suicide bombing on June 18 targeted a meeting between TFG and Ethiopian commanders.

On June 19, Ethiopian forces entered Bakool and reached Elberde town. They withdrew after holding talks with local clan elders.

June 22, Ethiopian forces started launching search and seizure operations in Kala-beyrka intersection in Hiran region.

The Ethiopian government then announced it would not intervene without an international mandate.

June 30, Ethiopian forces entered El-gal and Ilka'adde villages which are less than 20 km north of regeonal capital Beledweyn. Reports from Kala-beyrka intersection say that more extra troops from Ethiopia crossed from the border.

Suicide bombings

• On February 22, a double suicide bomb attack on an AU base in Mogadishu left 11 Burundian soldiers dead and another 15 wounded.
• On May 24, a suicide car bomber killed 10 people, including 6 government soldiers, wounding 9, including 4 government soldiers.
• On June 18, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the Medina Hotel in Beledweyne, killing 35 people. Among the dead was Omar Hashi Aden, Somalia's Security Minister.

See also

• List of wars 2003–current