Expanded peacekeeping in Somalia began after the failure of UNOSOM I accompanied by the specter of 500,000 Somalis dead from famine by the fall of 1992 and hundreds of thousands more in danger of dying. Clan violence in Somalia interfered with international famine relief efforts, and President Bush sent American troops to protect relief workers in a new operation called Restore Hope. The US-led coalition approved by the Security Council in December 1992 had a mandate of protecting humanitarian operations and creating a secure environment for eventual political reconciliation. At the same time, it had the authority to use all necessary means, including military force. A joint and multinational operation, Restore Hope--called UNITAF (unified task force)--was a US-led, UN-sanctioned operation that included protection of humanitarian assistance and other peace-enforcement operations.
While the US failed to acknowledge the political dimensions of the situation at the highest political levels (which would lead to tragic results in the second phase, UNOSOM II), Operation Restore Hope was nevertheless a humanitarian success.
Contents:
I.Backround
II.Somali Forces
III.American Forces
IV.Somali Losses
V.American Losses
VI.Conclusion
VII.Important Battles
VIII.Pictures
I.Backround
II.Somali Forces
| Somalian Clan | Loyal Militia | Habr Gedir | 4,000 |
|---|
Gen. Aidid was in charge of the Habr Gedir Clan. In Somalia there were 5 clans at the time, all struggling for power of the country. Gen. Aidid's clan was the strongest and he proclaimed himself president of Somalia.
Somalis were equipped with a number of weapons against the UN. The most common was the Ak-47 assault rifle and the RPG-7 anti-tank grenade. It is impossible to find out how many they had, but their numbers are well into the thousands.
There were also a lot of mercenaries in Africa willing to fight on different side and kill for money. Many of these, as well as ordinary civilians, fought for free against the United States.
III.American Forces |
| Country | Total Troops |
Special Forces |
Aircraft/Helicopters | Tanks | APC's | Artillery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 25,800 | 750 | 60 | *31 | *48 | *8 |
President George Bush sent in about 26,000 U.S. troops in Somalia to help distribute food and other needs to the civilians. Once President William Clinton came into office he immediately set out to bring the soldiers home. The numbers above represent US troops peak strength. After Clinton cut them in 1993 there were only some 4,000 left. In addition to the US troops there were also some 20,000 UN troops but they did not take part in the fighting so I did not bother to add their numbers. American forces had some Cobra attack helicopters, but were lacking heavy armor to patrol the streets. This would prove to be a costly mistake.
IV.Somali Losses
| Country | Killed | Wounded | Killed at the Battle of Mogadishu |
Somalia | 97 | 140 | 1,000-2,000 |
|---|
The numbers above only represent the losses suffered by Gen. Aidid's forces and they are low estimates. The battle of Mogadishu is given two estimates, a low of 700 of Aidids men killed plus another 300 civilians killed giving a total of 1,000 deaths, and the high estimate of the battle of some 2,000 deaths with more than half of those being civilians. Ambassador Robert Oakley, the US special representative to Somalia, believes the true number is around 1,000 deaths.
V.American Losses |
| Country | Killed in Action |
Other Deaths |
Total Deaths |
Wounded | United States | 30 | 14 | 44 | 175 | Pakistan | 25 | -- | 25 | -- |
|---|
The ambush and deaths of 25 Pakistani soldiers is what made the United States go after Aidid. Soon afterwards small skirmishes broke out. A HUMMVV was destroyed by a mine killing 4 American soldiers in it. In retaliation Aidid's headquarters were attacked.
The casualties sustained in Somalia could have been avoided if the military had a clear objective and the politicians in Washington would have given them a free hand. The first thing that went wrong is that Somalia was labeled a peace mission and thus the soldiers were lightly equipped. One month before the ambush in Mogadishu Gen. Montgomery asked for some weapons, 4 tanks, 13 APC's, and some artillery pieces. He was denied because President Clinton did not want to escalate things. Well, once the ambush took place the American troops were ill equipped to send in a rescue team, in fact troops from Malaysia brought their APC's to bring out the wounded. That battle cost the lives of 18 Americans. Afterwards Gen. Thomas received some 31 tanks, 48 APC's, and 8 artillery pieces. President Clinton, however, was still blamed. The father of a Ranger killed in Mogadishu refused to shake Clinton's hand after he received a medal for his son's bravery in battle. Some wounded soldiers refused to get their pictures taken with Clinton when he visited them.
VI.Conclusion |
UNOSOM II became a badly flawed peace, with military forces which came to be seen by parties to the local conflict as co-belligerents rather than impartial peacekeepers. In Somalia, peace enforcement was only an implicit element of the original U.N. mandate, which focused on peace-building (disarmament, political reconciliation, and economic rehabilitation). However, after a confrontation between the Somali National Alliance (SNA) and the U.N. led to the killing of twenty-five Pakistani peacekeepers, the Security Council made the operation's peace-enforcement mission explicit. It was executed by both U.N. forces and a 1,000-man U.S. rapid-reaction force under U.S. operational control, with the authority of the United Nations. There was also a 3,000-man U.S. logistics unit under U.N. operational control. A lack of decisiveness, cohesion, and command and control by the undermanned U.N. mission (half the strength of UNITAF, with some 20,000 personnel) and a series of armed clashes between U.S./U.N. forces and the SNA created a virtual state of war and undermined the effectiveness of the U.N. operation. Confusion over the dual-command relationship between the U.S. and UNOSOM II was another complicating factor, with a U.S. general officer serving as both the U.N. deputy forces commander and commander of U.S. forces.
A clash on 3-4 October 1993 left eighteen U.S. personnel dead and seventy-eight wounded, along with over one thousand Somali casualties. Public outcry in the United States contributed to the decision to withdraw U.S. forces in March 1994. That, coupled with continued internal strife and SNA hostility toward the U.N., led to a total U.N. withdrawal in March 1995. This was executed skillfully, without casualties, in a carefully planned combined U.S.-U.N. action.
The killing of Army Rangers in Somalia provoked a resurgence of a debate that began before the Gulf War: when is it appropriate to use military force -- and, more to the point, can you justify using the military in regions in which Americans either do not see their interests at stake or are willing to help only so long as the costs remain very low? Somalia drove home the reality that the Gulf War experience could not serve as a model for other situations where the diplomatic lineup was more confused, the stakes less clear, and the difference between good guys and bad guys less simple to discern. It was also an early indication of the coming debate on the international community's role in internal strife.
Many people have the idea that the U.S., after being defeated in Mogadishu, quickly ran from Somalia and that's simply not the case. The reason the U.S. pulled out is because of public opinion who turned against the mission after witnessing dead American soldiers being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. However, the battle of Mogadishu was actually won. Gen. Garrison, who led the operation, believed it was a victory because we achieved our goals, although with a high price.
VII.Important Battles
Key Battles:
Raid on Gen. Aidid's Headquarters
Battle of Mogadishu
Raid on Gen. Aidid's Headquarters
(July 12, 1993)
After the four Americans were killed by a detonated mine, Gen. Thomas Montgomery decided to take action against those who planned the attack. Intelligence sources pointed the finger at Aidid and his officers. In order to make them pay, it was agreed that a strike should be conducted on the very headquarters where the ambush of the four Americans was planned. Every day at 9:30 AM Aidid's top officers and sometimes even Aidid would get together. On July 12 Aidid was not present, but the men who orchestrated the mine attack and other acts of violence on UN troops were present.
At about 9:30 AM on July 12 the attack began with 5 AH-1 Cobras launching TOW missiles at the house. Cobra support helicopters landed on the roof and sent in commando troops to kill whoever was left alive. A quick 10 minute battle followed in which some 20-25 high ranking officers of Aidid's leadership were killed. Aidid would claim that the toll was 70, mostly women and children. American troops suffered no casualties.
The attack was aimed at getting rid of people who were creating chaos in Somalia but it had the opposite effect and is thought of as the turning point in the campaign. The strikes shocked many UN members, because the US used Rapid Reaction troops who were not under UN command. Italy began to side with the Somalis, even giving them information about American troops. Aidid and his men began to carry out more acts of violence. The civilians being to think of the US as the enemy, not as a peacekeeper. After the attack an angry mob outside the burning house took out their frustrations on international journalists. Some 14 were caught by the mob, they were beaten and stoned to death.
Battle of Mogadishu
(Oct. 3 - 4, 1993)
It became more clear that the U.S. needed to go after Aidid and his men in order to bring peace to Somalia. A raid was planned aimed at Aidid's top two lieutenants: Omar Salad and Mohammed Hassan Awale. Ranger and Delta Force commandoes were called in for the mission. The mission was divided into three phases. Phase 1 involved 75 Army Rangers in 4 helicopters being dropped near a building where the two commanders were holding a meeting with other officers. They were to divide into four groups and form a perimeter and provide cover for Phase 2 team. Phase 2, 40 Delta Force commandoes in 5 helicopters, were to be dropped in front of the building and they were to storm and arrest the men inside. Phase 3, was waiting at the corner, with 12 vehicles to transport the Delta Force and the prisoners back to base. In all some 140 commandoes were to take part, 12 vehicles and 17 helicopters.
The plan took into action at 3:30 PM. From the start things went wrong, as the first helicopter noticed burning tires near the target building as it approached. The Somalis would burn tires in the street to call people to the scene and fight. Immediately the helicopters took fire and the Ranger landing was rough, one Ranger was hurt in the fall. Nonetheless Phase 1 was accomplished and the teams set up a perimeter and were now taking fire from all over. People were shooting at them from every direction, from houses and from roofs. The Phase 2 Delta team went inside and arrested the 2 top lieutenants and another 22 of Aidid's men. By this time thousands of people had joined in the fight and made it impossible for the commandoes and prisoners to escape. Phase 3 team was loading the 24 prisoners and trying to stay alive under increasing fire. Helicopters came to the scene and was laying down fire where the Somalis where.
The first UH-60 Blackhawk was downed by a Somali with an RPG-7 standing on a roof. Both pilots survived, one would take his M-16 and kill about 10 Somalis before being gunned down. A short time later another helicopter of the same kind would met the same fate. In all 5 helicopters were hit by RPG-7's, but 3 managed to make it back to base. The downed helicopters were now becoming major battle fronts as the Somalis moved in to kill the soldiers nearby. It is at the site of this second crash that the only prisoner was taken, Michael Durhant. His copilot was killed in the battle and he ran out of ammo.
For 17 hours the fighting went on before a relief column came with Malaysian APC's and escorted everyone out. In all 18 Americans were killed and 73 were wounded. Six of those died of wounds that could have been treated had they been returned to base in time. The Somalis suffered some 1,000-2,000 deaths. It is hard to say that civilians were the target of the commandoes. An estimated 3,000-5,000 Somali militia were present at the fight. The Somali gunmen would fire from behind civilians, forcing the Americans to return fire and kill them all. Little kids were pointing out the positions of the Americans to snipers, some had weapons. In all it was a reality check of what urban warfare can do. One of the Rangers who took part in this wrote in his journal at the time, and summed it up best when he said: "Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you."
VIII.Pictures
HUMMVV destroyed by a mine, 4 Americans died
Pictures of the 18 Americans killed at Mogadishu
American soldier dragged through Mogadishu by mob
Funeral for a Ranger Killed at Mogadishu
Somalia Memorial
Raid on Gen. Aidid's Headquarters |
After the four Americans were killed by a detonated mine, Gen. Thomas Montgomery decided to take action against those who planned the attack. Intelligence sources pointed the finger at Aidid and his officers. In order to make them pay, it was agreed that a strike should be conducted on the very headquarters where the ambush of the four Americans was planned. Every day at 9:30 AM Aidid's top officers and sometimes even Aidid would get together. On July 12 Aidid was not present, but the men who orchestrated the mine attack and other acts of violence on UN troops were present.
At about 9:30 AM on July 12 the attack began with 5 AH-1 Cobras launching TOW missiles at the house. Cobra support helicopters landed on the roof and sent in commando troops to kill whoever was left alive. A quick 10 minute battle followed in which some 20-25 high ranking officers of Aidid's leadership were killed. Aidid would claim that the toll was 70, mostly women and children. American troops suffered no casualties.
The attack was aimed at getting rid of people who were creating chaos in Somalia but it had the opposite effect and is thought of as the turning point in the campaign. The strikes shocked many UN members, because the US used Rapid Reaction troops who were not under UN command. Italy began to side with the Somalis, even giving them information about American troops. Aidid and his men began to carry out more acts of violence. The civilians being to think of the US as the enemy, not as a peacekeeper. After the attack an angry mob outside the burning house took out their frustrations on international journalists. Some 14 were caught by the mob, they were beaten and stoned to death.
Battle of Mogadishu |
It became more clear that the U.S. needed to go after Aidid and his men in order to bring peace to Somalia. A raid was planned aimed at Aidid's top two lieutenants: Omar Salad and Mohammed Hassan Awale. Ranger and Delta Force commandoes were called in for the mission. The mission was divided into three phases. Phase 1 involved 75 Army Rangers in 4 helicopters being dropped near a building where the two commanders were holding a meeting with other officers. They were to divide into four groups and form a perimeter and provide cover for Phase 2 team. Phase 2, 40 Delta Force commandoes in 5 helicopters, were to be dropped in front of the building and they were to storm and arrest the men inside. Phase 3, was waiting at the corner, with 12 vehicles to transport the Delta Force and the prisoners back to base. In all some 140 commandoes were to take part, 12 vehicles and 17 helicopters.
The plan took into action at 3:30 PM. From the start things went wrong, as the first helicopter noticed burning tires near the target building as it approached. The Somalis would burn tires in the street to call people to the scene and fight. Immediately the helicopters took fire and the Ranger landing was rough, one Ranger was hurt in the fall. Nonetheless Phase 1 was accomplished and the teams set up a perimeter and were now taking fire from all over. People were shooting at them from every direction, from houses and from roofs. The Phase 2 Delta team went inside and arrested the 2 top lieutenants and another 22 of Aidid's men. By this time thousands of people had joined in the fight and made it impossible for the commandoes and prisoners to escape. Phase 3 team was loading the 24 prisoners and trying to stay alive under increasing fire. Helicopters came to the scene and was laying down fire where the Somalis where.
The first UH-60 Blackhawk was downed by a Somali with an RPG-7 standing on a roof. Both pilots survived, one would take his M-16 and kill about 10 Somalis before being gunned down. A short time later another helicopter of the same kind would met the same fate. In all 5 helicopters were hit by RPG-7's, but 3 managed to make it back to base. The downed helicopters were now becoming major battle fronts as the Somalis moved in to kill the soldiers nearby. It is at the site of this second crash that the only prisoner was taken, Michael Durhant. His copilot was killed in the battle and he ran out of ammo.
For 17 hours the fighting went on before a relief column came with Malaysian APC's and escorted everyone out. In all 18 Americans were killed and 73 were wounded. Six of those died of wounds that could have been treated had they been returned to base in time. The Somalis suffered some 1,000-2,000 deaths. It is hard to say that civilians were the target of the commandoes. An estimated 3,000-5,000 Somali militia were present at the fight. The Somali gunmen would fire from behind civilians, forcing the Americans to return fire and kill them all. Little kids were pointing out the positions of the Americans to snipers, some had weapons. In all it was a reality check of what urban warfare can do. One of the Rangers who took part in this wrote in his journal at the time, and summed it up best when he said: "Sometimes you get the bear, sometimes the bear gets you."
VIII.Pictures |
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HUMMVV destroyed by a mine, 4 Americans died
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Pictures of the 18 Americans killed at Mogadishu
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American soldier dragged through Mogadishu by mob
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Funeral for a Ranger Killed at Mogadishu
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Somalia Memorial
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