List of wars involving Somaliland
This is a list of wars involving the Republic of Somaliland and its predecessors.
Ifat invasion of Shewa Sultanate (1285–1286)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ifat invasion of Shewa Sultanate (1285-1286) |
Ifat Sultanate |
Ethiopian Empire |
Victory |
Ifat Sultanate (1316–1332)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conquests of the Emperor Amda Seyon I (1316–1332) |
Ifat Sultanate |
Ethiopian Empire |
Defeat |
Ifat-Abyssinian War (1376–1403)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ifat-Abyssinian War (1376–1403) |
Ifat Sultanate |
Ethiopian Empire |
Defeat |
Campaigns of Jamal ad-Din (1424-1429)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaigns of Jamal ad-Din | Ifat Sultanate | Ethiopian Empire | Victory
|
Adal Sultanate (1415–1577)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian–Adal War (1529-1543) |
Adal Sultanate Ottoman Empire (1542–43) |
Ethiopian Empire Portuguese Empire (1541–43) |
Stalemate
|
Sultanate of Adal (1550–1577)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nech Sar (1559) |
Adal Sultanate | Victory
|
Somali Portoguese Conflicts
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somali–Portuguese conflicts | Adal Sultanate | Portuguese Empire | Victory |
Ottoman-Ethiopian War (1557–1589)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottoman–Ethiopian War (1557–1589) | Ottoman Empire | Ethiopian Empire |
|
Isaaq Sultanate (1750–1884)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of Lafaruug (1749) | Absame tribes Ogaden tribes |
Victory
|
Battle of berbera (1827)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battle of Berbera (1827) |
United Kingdom East India Company |
Defeat |
Blocade of berbera (1855–1856)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocade of berbera | British empire | Resolved by treaty
|
Battle of zeila (1841)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| battle of zeila 1841 | Isaaq Sultanate | Ottoman Empire | Victory |
Egyptian occupation of the isaaq Sultanate (1873-1884)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egyptian occupation | Isaaq Sultanate | Khedivate of Egypt | Defeat |
Dervish State (1899–1920)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somaliland Campaign (1900–1920) |
Supported by:
|
|
Defeat |
Isaaq Tribe of Somaliland
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burao tax revolt (1922) |
United Kingdom | Victory
|
Italian conquest of British Somaliland (1884–1960)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italian conquest of British Somaliland (1940) |
|
Defeat
|
Operation Appearance (1941)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operation Appearance (1941) |
Victory
|
East African campaign (WWII)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| East African campaign (1940-1941) |
Belgium |
Victory
|
Somali Republic (1960–1969)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shifta War (1963–1967) |
Northern Frontier Districts Liberation Movement
Supported by: |
Kenya Colony (until Dec. 1963) Kenya (from Dec. 1963) Supported by: United Kingdom Ethiopian Empire[10] |
Ceasefire |
1964 Ethiopian-Somali Border War
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Ogaden War (1964) |
Somalia Supported by: Egypt[11][12] |
Ethiopia Supported by: United States[13] |
Stalemate
|
Somali Democratic Republic (1969–1991)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Ogaden War (1977-1978) |
Defeat
|
Somali National Movement (1981-1991)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Somaliland War of Independence (1981–1991) |
Supported by: |
Victory
|
Republic of Somaliland (1991-Present)
| Conflict | Combatant 1 | Combatant 2 | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puntland–Somaliland dispute (1998–present) |
|
Ongoing
| |
| Somali Civil War (2009–present) |
Alleged support: |
Regional forces:
Supported by: UNPOS (1995–2013) UNSOM (2013–2024) UNSOA (2009–2016) UNSOS (2016–present) Council for Somalia's Future
Hizbul Islam (until 2010; 2012–2013) Alleged non-state allies:
Allies |
Ongoing
|
| Las Anod conflict (2023–present) | Ongoing
|
See also
Notes
- ^ 18 August 1940 – 8 April 1941
References
- ^ Gikes, Patrick (2002). "Wars in the Horn of Africa and the dismantling of the Somali State". African Studies. 2. University of Lisbon: 89–102. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- ^ Henze, Paul B. (2000). Layers of Time: A History of Ethiopia. Hurst & Company. p. 89. ISBN 1-85065-522-7.
- ^ Historical Dictionary of Ethiopia By David Hamilton Shinn, Thomas P. Ofcansky, Chris Prouty p. 171
- ^ Abir, Mordechai. Ethiopia and the Red Sea: The Rise and Decline of the Solomonic Dynasty and Muslim European Rivalry in the Region. United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2013, p.134
- ^ Beyene, Solomon Gebreyes (2016). The Chronicle of King Gälawdewos (1540-1559): A Critical Edition with Annotated Translation. Universität Hamburg. p. 32.
Afterwards, the revival of the Muslim sultanate of ʿAdal under its new leader Nūr b. Muǧāḥid who succeeded to control the southern part of the Christian empire is discussed
- ^ Conzelman, William Eliot (1895). Chronique de Galâwdêwos (Claudius), roi d'Ethiopie: Texte éthiopien (in Amharic). E. Bouillon. pp. 95–97.
- ^ Beyene, Solomon Gebreyes (2016). The Chronicle of King Gälawdewos (1540-1559): A Critical Edition with Annotated Translation. Universität Hamburg. pp. 123–126.
- ^ "How Ethiopian prince scuppered Germany's WW1 plans". BBC News. 25 September 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ Zaccaria 2021.
- ^ Behr 2018, p. 148.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Thanoun, Ahmed Tahsin; Abd, Ahmed Hussein (2020). "Egypt's Position on the Somali – Ethiopian Conflict in 1964". Journal of Al-Farahidi's Arts (in Arabic). 12 (40). University of Tikrit: 177–189.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Urban, Mark (1983). "Soviet intervention and the Ogaden counter-offensive of 1978". The RUSI Journal. 128 (2): 42–46. doi:10.1080/03071848308523524. ISSN 0307-1847.
Soviet advisers fulfilled a number of roles, although the majority were involved in training and headquarters duties. Others flew combat missions in the MiGs and helicopters.
- ^ "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. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
- ^ Gorman 1981, p. 208.
- ^ Cohen, Robin (2 November 1995). The Cambridge Survey of World Migration. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-44405-7.
in return for depriving the snm of its.
- ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (6 October 2016). After The Storm: The Changing Military Balance in the Middle East. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-4742-9257-3.
- ^ Nelson, Elizabeth A. (2021-09-14). Regional Politics and State Secession. Edward Elgar Publishing. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-83910-377-3.
- ^ Gurdon, Charles (1996). "The Horn of Africa". Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 59 (1): 63. doi:10.1017/S0041977X0002927X. ISSN 1474-0699.
- ^ Ingiriis, Mohamed (1 April 2016). The Suicidal State in Somalia: The Rise and Fall of the Siad Barre Regime, 1969–1991. United States: University Press of America. pp. 147–150. ISBN 978-0-7618-6719-7 – via Google Books.
- ^ Einashe, Ismail (October 22, 2018). "In the Valley of Death: Somaliland's Forgotten Genocide". The Nation.
- ^ a b c Copson, Raymond W. (1994). Africa's Wars and Prospects for Peace. M. E. Sharpe. pp. 139–141. ISBN 9781563243004.
- ^ a b Metz, Country Studies, 1993, 213-214
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Jama (2023-10-19). "Somali government makes a strategic move by recognizing SSC-Khaatumo". The Somali Digest | Somali News in English. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
- ^ Staff, Horseed (2023-08-25). "Somalia: SSC forces Capture Somaliland's Goojacade military Base". Horseed Media. Archived from the original on 2023-08-26. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
- ^ Taylor, Liam (29 August 2024). "Inside Somaliland, the state eager to become the world's next country". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 2024-08-30.
Sources
- Behr, Agnes Wanjiru (2018). Border, Identity and (In) Security: The Kenya-Somalia Border 1963-2016 (PhD thesis). United States International University Africa.
- Gorman, Robert F. (1981). Political Conflict on the Horn of Africa. Westport, CT: Praeger. ISBN 978-0-030-59471-7.
- Zaccaria, Massimo (2021-07-29). "Somalia". 1914-1918-online. International Encyclopedia of the First World War. Berlin: International Encyclopedia of the First World War.