Somalia: Fielded
Forces Chapter 4: Red Sea, Horn of Africa
Somalia: Fielded
Forces
Overview
/ Clans and Movements / Foreign Forces
Overview
/ Leadership / System Essentials
/ Infrastructure / Population
/ Table of Contents
The UN terminated UNOSOM II in March 1995
Following the 1991 revolution, no national armed forces have been formed. The Somali National Movement has declared northern Somalia as the independent Republic of Somaliland, while in the south insurgent groups compete for local supremacy. Heavy military equipment is in a poor state of repair or inoperable.
The following is a list of clan and movement groupings. In Somaliland (northern Somalia), the United Somalia Front, the Somalia Democratic Front, the Somalia National Movement, and the United Somali Party vie for power. In Somalia (southern Somalia), the Somalia Salvation Democratic Front includes a loose alliance of about 3000 people. The United Somali Congress includes 2 major factions. First, the Hawife Aideed Faction, with Mohammed Farah Aideed includes 10,000 members. Secondly, the Ali Mahdi Faction, whose leader is Mohammed Ali Mahdi claims just under 10,000 members. Other clans in the south are the Somali National Front, with 2-3000 members, and the Somali Democratic Movement. Lastly, the Somali Patriotic Movement claims a following of 2-3000 members.
The UN ended its military presence in Somalia with the termination of UNOSOM II and the evacuation of all troops in March 1995.