Battle of Mogadishu

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Question: ‘Evaluate the reasons and impacts of ‘The battle of Mogadishu’ The Battle of Mogadishu more commonly known as Black Hawk Down was part of Operation Restore Hope and was fought on October 3 and 4, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia between forces of the United States, supported by UNOSOM II, and Somali militia fighters loyal to the soon to be president Mohamed Farrah Aidid. It is recognised as the first Battle of Mogadishu as there was another Battle of Mogadishu is 2006. Reasons which lead to this battle all began In January 1991, a coalition of tribal clans known as the United Somali Congress forced out long-time dictator Siad Barre. Cooperation between the clans was short-lived, however. Fighting soon broke out among the Somali National Movement, the party of Mohammed Farah Aidid, rival factions loyal to Ali Mahdi and various lesser groups. Internecine warfare followed, destroying the fragile economy of Somalia. In one year an estimated 300 – 500,000 Somalis died, either directly from fighting or indirectly of starvation. Chaos reigned until 03 March 1992, when the warring parties agreed to a cease-fire to allow humanitarian assistance monitored by the United Nations (UN). On 15 August 1992, United Nations Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM I) began Operation Provide Relief. The UN had not counted on the callous nature or the ruthless determination of the warring clans, however. In war-torn Somalia, a failed nation without conventional forms of capital - food was used to ensure the loyalty of followers, gain conscripts and exchanged with neighboring countries for arms. Not surprisingly, relief flights were looted almost as they landed, food convoys were hijacked and aid workers assaulted. Frustrated, the UN called upon its members to provide security (i.e., military support) for the relief mission. As one of his last acts as Commander in Chief, on 04 December 1992

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