List of wars involving Somalia
This is a list of military conflicts in which Somali armed forces participated in after independence.
- Somalia defeat
- Somalia victory
- Another result (e.g. a treaty or peace without a clear result, result unknown or indecisive)
- Ongoing conflict
| Date | Conflict | Allies | Enemies | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1285-1286 | Ifat invasion of Shewa Sultanate | Sultanate of Ifat | Sultanate of shewa | Ifat victory
|
| 1507-1542 | Somali–Portuguese conflicts | Ajuran Sultanate | Portuguese Empire | Victory |
| 1529-1543 | Ethiopian–Adal War | Adal Sultanate | Ethiopian Empire | Stalemate
|
| 1874–1885 | Egyptian invasion of Hararghe | Emirate of Harar | Khedivate of Egypt | Defeat
|
| 1886-1908 | Lafoole Masscre | Somalis | Italian Empire | Victory |
| 1900–1920 | Somaliland Campaign | Dervish State Supported by: Ottoman Empire German Empire (1915-1916) |
British Empire Ethiopian Empire (1900-1904) Italian Empire |
Defeat
|
| 1922 | 1922 Burao tax revolt | Isaaq | British Empire | Somali victory |
| 1963–1967 | Shifta War | Northern Frontier District Liberation Movement Supported by: Somali Republic |
Kenya Supported by: United Kingdom |
Cease-fire
|
| 1964 | 1964 Ethiopian–Somali Border War | Somalia Supported by: Egypt[1] |
Ethiopia Supported by: United States[2] |
Cease-fire
|
| 1977–1978 | Ogaden War | Somalia WSLF Supported by: Egypt[3] Saudi Arabia[4][5] Iraq[5][6] |
Ethiopia Cuba Soviet Union South Yemen[7] Supported by: Israel[8][9] East Germany North Korea[10] |
Defeat[11][12]
|
| 1982 | 1982 Ethiopian–Somali Border War | Somalia Supported by: United States |
Ethiopia | Somalia victory |
| 1993 | Operation Gothic Serpent | Somalia | United States United Nations |
Victory |
| 2009–present | Somali Civil War (2009–present) |
Regional forces:
Supported by: UNPOS (1995–2013) UNSOM (2013–2024) UNSOA (2009–2016) UNSOS (2016–present) Independent regional forces |
Hizbul Islam (until 2010; 2012–2013) Alleged non-state allies:
Allies Alleged support: |
Ongoing
|
References
- ^ Mekonnen, Teferi (2018). "The Nile issue and the Somali-Ethiopian wars (1960s–78)". Annales d'Éthiopie. 32: 271–291. doi:10.3406/ethio.2018.1657.
- ^ Lefebvre, Jeffrey (1998). "The United States, Ethiopia and the 1963 Somali-Soviet Arms Deal: Containment and the Balance of Power Dilemma in the Horn of Africa". The Journal of Modern African Studies. 36 (4): 611–643. doi:10.1017/S0022278X98002870. JSTOR 161927. S2CID 154644957.
- ^ Mekonnen, Teferi (2018). "The Nile issue and the Somali-Ethiopian wars (1960s–78)". Annales d'Éthiopie. 32: 271–291. doi:10.3406/ethio.2018.1657.
- ^ Tareke 2000, p. 656.
- ^ a b Fitzgerald, Nina J. (2002). Somalia; Issues, History, and Bibliography. Nova Publishers. p. 64. ISBN 9781590332658.
- ^ Malovany, Pesach (21 July 2017). Wars of Modern Babylon. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813169453.
- ^ "Ogaden Area recaptured by Ethiopian Forces with Soviet and Cuban Support -International Ramifications of Ethiopian-Somali Conflict – Incipient Soviet and Cuban Involvement in Ethiopian Warfare against Eritrean Secessionists -Political Assassinations inside Ethiopia". Keesing's Record of World Events (formerly Keesing's Contemporary Archives). 1 May 1978.
- ^ Lefebvre, Jeffrey Alan. Arms for the horn : U.S. Security Policy in Ethiopia and Somalia. University of Pitsburg Press. p. 188.
- ^ "Arms and Rumors From East, West Sweep Ethiopia". Washington Postt. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ^ "North Korea's Military Partners in the Horn". The Diplomat. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
- ^ Lapidoth, Ruth (1982). The Read Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Martinus Nijhoff Publishers. ISBN 9024725011.
- ^ Szajkowski, Bogdan (18 June 1981). Marxist Governments_ A World Survey_ Mozambique-Yugoslavia. p. 656. ISBN 9781349043323.
- ^ Gorman 1981, p. 208
- ^ a b Cowell, Alan (8 October 1982). "Ethiopian Drive Against Somalia Bogs Down". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
- ^ "Ethiopian and Somali Forces Withdrawn Under Agreement". The New York Times. 26 April 1988.
- ^ "The History Guy: Ethiopia-Somalia Wars and Conflicts". Retrieved 21 July 2017.
- ^ "Somalia: Status of the Armed Forces" (PDF). Central Intelligence Agency. March 1982. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Gaid, Samira (November–December 2022). Cruickshank, Paul; Hummel, Kristina (eds.). "The 2022 Somali Offensive Against al-Shabaab: Making Enduring Gains Will Require Learning from Previous Failures" (PDF). CTC Sentinel. 15 (11). West Point, New York: Combating Terrorism Center: 31–38. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Somalia: Islamist Group Supports President Sharif". Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
- ^ "MA'AWISLEY: A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AL-SHABAAB – Rift Valley Institute". Retrieved 2025-03-10.
- ^ "In Somalia, U.S. Escalates a Shadow War – The New York Times". The New York Times. 16 October 2016. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- ^ Brown, David (31 July 2017). "US airstrike kills Somalia fighter under new Trump authority". Washingtonexaminer.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
- ^ "Somalia: China Donates Military Equipment to Somalia to Aid War Against Terrorists". 19 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 December 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ "索马里遇难武警被称为"许三多"中弹拒绝回国休养--时政--人民网". People's Daily. Retrieved 2025-02-21.
- ^ "Turkey sends troops to Somalia amid Al-Shabaab advances". Somali Guardian. 2025-04-22. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ Dhaysane, Mohammed (9 March 2021). "New batch of Somali troops to get training in Turkey". aa.com.tr.
- ^ "France reportedly bombs Somali town". Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Italy pledges to Somali gov't financial support to uproot Al shabaab". Shabelle. 3 November 2010. Archived from the original on 8 October 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ "Russia offers support to Somalian army in fight against terrorist groups". ABC News. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ "Russia Offers Military Support to Somalia". VOA. 2023-05-26. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- ^ Weiss, Caleb (2025-02-05). "US, UAE conducting airstrikes in northern Somalia". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "First British troops arrive in Somalia as part of UN mission". The Guardian. 2 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 May 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2016.
- ^ "Italy pledges to Somali gov't financial support to uproot Al shabaab". Shabelle. 3 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- "Exclusive: Eritrea reduces support for al Shabaab – U.N. report". Reuters. 16 July 2012.
- "How does 'poor' Eritrea afford to fund Al-Shabaab?". Africa Review. 8 November 2011. Archived from the original on 12 October 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
- "Eritrea 'arming' Somali militia". BBC News. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- "UN probes Eritrea arms in Somalia – Africa". Al Jazeera English. 16 May 2009. Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- Gettleman, Jeffrey (27 July 2007). "A U.N. Report on Somalia Accuses Eritrea of Adding to the Chaos". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 3 May 2021. Retrieved 20 May 2010.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- Fraser-Rahim, Muhammad (17 July 2020). "In Somalia, Iran Is Replicating Russia's Afghan Strategy". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020.
Somali military officials maintain that Iran has been running secret operations to undermine the United States in Somalia, providing sophisticated weapons, improvised explosive100000 als used to make bombs. The military officials allege that Iran and its proxies are complicit in al-Shabab attacks on the U.S. military, Somali forces, and the African Union Mission in Somalia
- "The Growing Relationship between Iran and al-Shabab Movement in Somalia: Motives and Potential Consequences". Emirates Policy Center. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
For Iran, working with non-State actors such as Al-Shabaab and the Houthis is an essential part of its foreign policy, aimed at expanding its geopolitical influence throughout the region. Tehran has developed an unspoken alliance with Al-Shabaab with the aim of creating a covert intelligence network that will allow it to achieve its goals and support its interests in the Middle East and Africa.
- "Al-Qaeda Affiliate Reportedly Using Iran As Transit Point For Banned Exports". RFE/RL. 13 October 2018. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018.
- "Iran denies shipping arms to Islamist militants in Somalia". Reuters. 2013-02-14. Archived from the original on 23 December 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-20.
- Fraser-Rahim, Muhammad (17 July 2020). "In Somalia, Iran Is Replicating Russia's Afghan Strategy". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- Bashir, Hamdi (7 October 2020). "The Future of the Role of Iran's Quds Force in Africa". Emirates Policy Center. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022.
The Quds Force has been working with agents and allies, such as Lebanon's Hezbollah and Somalia's Al-Shabaab, which are thought to have recently established relations with the Quds Force.
- Fazeli, Yaghoub (19 July 2020). "Iran linking with Somalia's al-Shabab to funnel weapons to Houthis". Al Arabiya. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021.
- Fraser-Rahim, Muhammad (17 July 2020). "In Somalia, Iran Is Replicating Russia's Afghan Strategy". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 17 July 2020.
Somali police and finance ministry officials claim the Quds Force uses these networks to smuggle Iranian oil into Somalia and then sell cheap oil across Africa to subvert U.S. sanctions, with some of the proceeds used to support militants in Yemen and Somalia
- Bartell, Dawn L.; Gray, David H. (Fall 2012). "Hezbollah and Al Shabaab in Mexico". Global Security Studies. 3 (4): 100–112. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023.
- Bashir, Hamdi (7 October 2020). "The Future of the Role of Iran's Quds Force in Africa". Emirates Policy Center. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- Ahmed, Guled (9 February 2021). "As Farmaajo digs in with Qatari backing, Somalia's election crisis grows worse". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021.
Qatar has allegedly used al-Shabab to target groups it has identified as opposing its interests, including Somali politicians critical of Doha's role in the country and outside actors like the United Arab Emirates
- Lynch, Colum (28 November 2012). "Qatar's support for Islamists muddles its reputation as neutral broker in Mideast". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012.
Qatar's cultivation of African Islamists, principally Somalia's al-Shabab insurgents, has similarly troubled the United States, which has accused the movement of providing a haven for al-Qaeda militants involved in attacks against Americans
- Mustafa, Awad; Singh, Karam (2 August 2017). "Qatar in the Horn of Africa: Friend or Foe?". Small Wars Journal. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017.
- Yüksel, Engin; Tekineş, Haşim (26 August 2021). "Turkish-Qatari approaches to conflict and crisis across the region". Clingendael. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021.
Qatari individuals and government representatives are reported to have been in regular contact with Al-Qaeda and its affiliates in Syria, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen in order to exert geopolitical influence
- Ahmed, Guled (9 February 2021). "As Farmaajo digs in with Qatari backing, Somalia's election crisis grows worse". Middle East Institute. Archived from the original on 9 February 2021.
- ^ Multiple sources:
- Houreld, Katharine (10 November 2021). "Iranian-supplied arms smuggled from Yemen into Somalia, study says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021.
Guns supplied by Iran to its Houthi allies in Yemen are being smuggled across the Gulf of Aden to Somalia, according to a Geneva-based think tank, where al Qaeda-linked al Shabab insurgents are battling a weak and divided government.
- Redondo, Raúl (20 July 2020). "Iran allies with Al-Shabaab in Somalia to distribute arms to Houthi rebels". Atalayar. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023.
Iran has established links with the jihadist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia to attack United States and other international forces in the African country and the region and to supply arms to Houthi rebels in Yemen
- Fazeli, Yaghoub (19 July 2020). "Iran linking with Somalia's al-Shabab to funnel weapons to Houthis". Al Arabiya. Archived from the original on 11 February 2021.
- Houreld, Katharine (10 November 2021). "Iranian-supplied arms smuggled from Yemen into Somalia, study says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021.
- ^ UN sources:
- "Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2140 (2014)" (PDF). un.org. UN Security Council. 11 October 2024. pp. 2, 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2024.
In addition, increased smuggling activities involving small arms and light weapons are observed between the Houthis and Al-Shabaab, with indications of shared military supplies or a common supplier. ... Houthis are evaluating options to carry out attacks at sea from the Somali coast. To that end, they are strengthening ties with the terrorist group Harakat Al-Shabaab Al-Mujaahidiin (Al-Shabaab).
- "UN experts say Houthis collaborated with Al-Qaeda to weaken Yemeni government". Arab News. 3 November 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024.
- "UN Panel of Experts Report Reveals Houthi Militia's Relationship with Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab Movement in Somalia". Yemen Shabab Net. 2 November 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024.
- "Final report of the Panel of Experts on Yemen established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2140 (2014)" (PDF). un.org. UN Security Council. 11 October 2024. pp. 2, 12. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 November 2024.
- ^ a b Robyn Kriel; Briana Duggan (10 July 2017). "CNN Exclusive: Somali pirate kings are under investigation for helping ISIS and al-Shabaab". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
- ^ "ISIL's First East African Affiliate Conducts Attacks in Somalia, Kenya". DefenseNews. 29 December 2015.
- ^ "Somalia: Pro-ISIL militants, Al Shabaab clash in deadly Puntland infighting". Garowe Online. 24 December 2015. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
- ^ "The Islamic State in Somalia: Responding to an Evolving Threat". International Crisis Group. 12 September 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- ^ "Fierce clashes erupt between Somaliland, SSC Khatumo forces in Sool's Yeyle region". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "SSC Khatumo leader calls for renewed offensive as Somaliland faces resistance over militia nationalization". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
- ^ "Ethiopia training Somaliland troops amid tension with Somalia". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Archived from the original on 26 January 2025. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "UAE expands military ties with Somaliland as Somalia looks on". www.hiiraan.com. Retrieved 2025-04-06.
- ^ "Somalia: SSC Forces Capture Somaliland's Goojacade military Base". Horseed Media. 2023-08-25. Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-08-26.