Factions in the Somali Civil War

Over the course of the Somali Civil War, there have been many revolutionary movements and militia groups run by competing rebel leaders which have held de facto control over vast areas within Somalia

Prior to the fall of Siad Barre (through 1991)[]

Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF)[]

First Somali resistance group.

Leaders: Dr. Hassan Ali Mireh, Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, General Mohamed Abshir Musa, Mohammed Abshir Waldo (General Secretary)
Area of Operations: 1988: Mudug region in central Somalia and Nugaal and Bari regions in southern Somalia; 1991: northeast Somalia (Puntland)
Tribal Affiliation: Majerteen and Darood clans
Founded: 1978 by several army officers, it was the first of several opposition groups dedicated to ousting the authoritarian regime of Mohamed Siad Barre.^[1]

Took part in a 1982 Ethiopian border offensive against Somalia.

The SSDF tried to ally with the SNM in 1983, but they failed to agree to a common strategy.

Somali National Front (SNF)[]

The SNF was a political revolutionary movement and armed militia in Somalia. Initially made up of loyalists to former President of Somalia Siad Barre and the remnants of the Somali National Army forces after his ouster from office, the SNF's intent and goal was to recapture Mogadishu and reinstate Barre's regime. Later, under General Omar Hagi Masallah and General Ahmed Ali, the SNF united the Marehan with the other Darod clans led by General Mohammed Said Hersi "Morgan", and then attempted to conquer the region around Kismayo to form the autonomous district of Jubaland.

Leaders: General Siad Barre, General Ahmed Ali, Mohammed Said Samatar "Gacaliye", Ahmed Sheikh Ali Ahmed "Burale", Dr. Ali Nur, General Mohammed Hashi Gaani, Col Barre Hiiraale, Gen Omar Hagi Massale, Col. Abdirizak Issak Bihi.
Area of Operations: Southern and Central Somalia; occasional forays to outskirts of Mogadishu and neighboring borders.
Tribal Affiliation: Marehan (Mareehaan)
Founded: March 1991

Somali National Movement (SNM)[]

Flag of the Somali National Movement

Leaders: Ahmad Mahammad Culaid, Ahmad Ismaaiil Abdi, Abdulqaadir Kosar Abdi, Ahmed M. Mahamoud Silanyo, Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur
Area of Operations: Northern Somali republic (Somaliland)
Tribal Affiliation: Isaaq
Founded: 1981

Isaaq tribe members had founded the movement in 1981 as emigres to London with the express purpose of overthrowing the Barre regime. They eventually moved to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and gained the support of the Ethiopian government.

On January 2, 1982, operating near Berbera, the group attacked Mandera Prison to free political prisoners while simultaneously raiding Cadaadle armory.

Between 1985 and 1987, the SNM conducted many attacks on government facilities and troops based out of camps in Ethiopia.

By 1988, the SNM moved out of their camps in Ethiopia and began operating in northern Somali republic, the area now known as Somaliland.^[2] They even temporarily occupied the provincial capitals of Burao and Hargeysa.

They captured government Toyota Land Cruisers turned them into technicals by mounting 12.7 mm and 14.5 mm machineguns, 106 mm recoilless rifles, and BM-21 rocket launchers. They also operated various antiaircraft guns, such as the ZU-23-2.

By 1991, they had taken control of Hargeysa, Berbera, Burao, and Erigavo. On May 18, 1991, they declared the Republic of Somaliland.

Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM)[]

Leaders: Colonel Shugri Weyrah Kariye Colonel Bashir Bililiqo, Colonel Ahmed Omar Jess, General Aden Abdullahi Nur ('Gabyow'), General Mohammed Said Hersi "Morgan"
Area of Operations: southern Somalia
Tribal Affiliation: Ogaden (SPM 'Ogadeni') and non-Ogaden (known as SPM 'Harti')
Founded: 1989

Begun by a group of disaffected Ogadeni officers.

A key accomplishment was the seizure of Balli-Dogle air base in the days prior to Barre's flight from Mogadishu.^[3]

Somali Democratic Alliance (SDA)[]

Leaders: Mohamed Farah Abdullahi, Mohamed Rashiid Sheekh also called sheekh malee, Zak Fergason, and Jamac Rabile(SDA)
Area of Operations: Awdal, Somaliland
Tribal Affiliation: Gadabursi
Founded: 1989^[4]

Pro-Barre faction. Fought against other liberation movements during Barre's reign.

United Somali Congress (USC)[]

Leaders: Dr. Omar M. Hassan, Hussein Ahmed Mohamed, Abdi Hilowle Hassan, Hassan Mohamud Moheddin, Hassan Omar Mohamed (Founders, 1989 Ali Mohamed Osoble ( Ali Wardhiigley ) And Dr. Ismael Jimaale ) (Mogadishu section founder, 1989); General Mohamed Farrah Aidid , Ali Mahdi Mohamed , (November 1991)
Area of Operations: central Somalia
Tribal Affiliation: Hawiye^[5] (Habar Gidir, Xawaadle, Murusade and Abgaal clans)
Founded: February 1, 1989 in Rome

On January 26, 1991, the USC stormed the Presidential palace in Mogadishu, taking control of the capital and forcing Siad Barre into exile.

In November 1991, factionalism between Gen. Aidid and Ali Mahdi Mahammad caused a split in the USC. Mohamed Qanyare Afrah was chosen to be the Chairman of USC .

Somali Democratic Movement (SDM)[]

Leaders:Maxamed Qanyare Afrah
Area of Operations: Mogadishu
Tribal Affiliation: Murusade
Founded: April 1989^[6]

Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI)[]

Leaders: Hassan Dahir Aweys, Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki
Area of Operations: Southwest (Ras Kamboni, Luuq)
Religious Affiliations:Sunni Islam
Founded: Late 1980s.

Southern Somali National Movement[]

Clan affiliation: Biimaal

United Somali Root (USR)[]

^[7] Founded 1991, represents Somali indigenous groups, non-violence organization
Leaders: Mohammed Husen, Ex-parliamentary Somali Transitional Federal Government; TFG, died 2010 in Mogadisho,
and General Mohammed Mohammud Hayd Ex-cabinet of President Dr.Abdiqasiman,and parliamentary
an advocate of Somali indigenous clans.
Tribal Affiliation: Muse clan and madhiban indigenous Somali clans.

Founded after the fall of Siad Barre through to the UN interventions (1991–1995)[]

Somaliland[]

Leaders	Area of Operations	Tribal Affiliation	Dates	Flag
1991–1993: Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tuur 1993–2002: Ibrahim Egal 2002-2010: Dahir Riyale Kahin 2010-2017: Ahmed M. Mahamoud Silanyo 2017- current: Muse Bihi Abdi	Somaliland	Isaaq Dir Darod	18 May 1991–Present

The Isaaq-dominated northern Somaliland region of Somalia declared its independence in 1991, but has not been recognized by any country or international organization as a sovereign nation.

Somali National Alliance (SNA)[]

Leaders: 1992-1996: Mohamed Farrah Aidid, Mohamed Nur Aliyou; 1996-2001: Hussein Mohamed Farah Aidid
Area of Operations:Mogadishu
Tribal affiliation: Habar Gidir , Ogaadeen , Raxanweyn , Sheekhaal , Duduble , Gugundhabe , Dir .
Founded: June 1992 - 2004

Its constituents included Mohamed Aidid's breakaway United Somali Congress faction, the Somali Patriotic Movement, Southern Somali National Movement, and other southern factions. His son, Hussein Aidid, assumed leadership upon his death. The SNA became the core of the SRRC in 2001.

Somali National Front (SNF)[]

Leaders: General Siad Barre, General Mohammed Said Samatar, General Mohammed Hashi Gaani, General Ahmed Ali,'Gacaliye', General Omar Hagi Masallah,Dr. Ali Nur Mukhtar, Ahmed Sheikh Ali " Buraale ". Col. Abdirizak Isak Bihi, Mohamud Sayid.
Area of Operations: Upper Jubba (Gedo), Middle and Lower Jubba regions; occasional forays to outskirts of Mogadishu
Tribal Affiliation: Marehan (Mareehaan)
Founded: March 1991

Loyalists to Siad Barre and Ahmed Ali, the remnants of his army forces founded the SNF militia after his ouster from office.

Their intent and goal was to recapture Mogadishu and reinstate the regime of Siad Barre, and to establish regional state in Gedo, Middle and Lower Jubba.

United Somali Front (USF)[]

Leaders: Abdurahman Dualeh Al;
Area of Operations: Zeila, Somaliland
Tribal Affiliation: Issa
Founded: prior to 1991 as a small liberation movement. "New" USF founded Summer 1991

The original USF joined with the SNM in the creation of the Republic of Somaliland.

The Issa clan is a Somali clan that spreads across northwest Somaliland and the nation of Djibouti. The "new" USF especially sought to represent the interests of the Djibouti-based Iise.

Somali Africans Muke Organization (SAMO)[]

(also called Somali Asal Muki Organization)

Leaders: Mohamed Ramadan Arbow
Area of Operations: ???
Tribal Affiliation: Bantu
Founded: 1993

Some of the tribes living the jubba and shabelle river banks ^[8]

Somali National Democratic Union (SNDU)[]

Leaders: Ali Ismael Abdi and Abdullahi Azari
Area of Operations: Galgadud, Mudug, Burtinle-Nugaal
Tribal Affiliation: Awrtable and Lelkase Darood sub-clans
Founded: 1991
Founding member of Puntland state, alongside the SSDF.
Museum : Museum is available at Mudug.

Somali National Union (SNU)[]

Leaders: Dr. Mohamed Ragis Mohamed
Area of Operations:
Tribal Affiliation: Reer Hamar; an Arabic, not ethnic Somali clan
Founded: 1960s

A political party that was active in the 1960s but was forced into dissolution during the Barre regime. It revived after his downfall.

United Somali Party (USP)[]

Leaders: Mohamed Abdi Hashi
Area of Operations: Erigavo and Las Anod, Somaliland
Tribal Affiliation: Dhulbahante, Warsangeli, Samaroon.
Founded: 1957 - 1969 (original group); 1991

The "new" USP had no affiliation to the original group founded in the 1950s. The new group that bore their name were generally pro-Siad, but key participants in the Reconciliation Conference of the Elders at Borama in early 1993.

Those present at the 1993 Conference on National Reconciliation in Somalia[]

The 1993 Informal Preparatory Meeting on National Reconciliation and the Conference on National Reconciliation in Somalia saw the presence of no less than 15 separate factions, including the offshoot SNA branches of USC and SPM. It was a plethora of acronyms: SAMO, SDA, SDM, SNA, SNDU, SNF, SNU, SPM, SPM-(SNA), SSDF, SSNM-(SNA), USC-(SNA), USC, USF, USP. Aidid's four SNA-aligned factions comprised a powerful bloc.

The progressive tone of the proceedings was undercut by the actual lack of progress in the regions and on the streets of Mogadishu. In time, new factions emerged as the Somali Civil War entered a new phase: disintegration into independent and autonomous states.

Created after the departure of the UN Missions (1995–Present)[]

Faction	Area of Operations	Tribal Affiliation	Dates
Puntland		Darood	1998–Present
Jubaland under Juba Valley Alliance (JVA)			1999–Present
Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council (SRRC)	Mogadishu & Southern Somalia	Hawiye	2001–2004
Southwestern Somalia		Rahanweyn	2002–2006
Transitional Federal Government (TFG)		Hawiye(Mudulood & Habar Gidir) and Rahanweyn	2004–present
Islamic Courts Union (ICU)		Predominately Hawiye	2006–2007 (replaced by Al-Shabaab)
Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT)		Hawiye	2006
Galmudug		Habar Gidir (Sacad and Salabaan)	2006–present
Popular Resistance Movement in the Land of the Two Migrations	Mogadishu & Southern Somalia	Multi-clan	2007–present
Maakhir		Warsangeli	2007-2008 (rejoined Puntland in January 2009)

References[]

^ Nina J. Fitzgerald, Somalia: issues, history, and bibliography, (Nova Publishers: 2002), p.25.
^ The Fall of Siad Barre and the Descent into Civil War Nations Encyclopedia
^ The Liberation Movements of Somalia Archived 2006-12-10 at the Wayback Machine Jack L. Davies, 27 August 1994
^ Uwechue, Raph (1991). Africa Today. Africa Journal Limited. ISBN 9780903274197. (founded 1989, leader, Mohammed Farah Abdullah)
^ https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1108483/1329_1200641767_somalia-april-2001.pdf^{[bare URL]}
^ Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810866041.
^ "Somali Boundaries and the Question of Statehood", Security, Clans and Tribes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014, doi:10.1057/9781137470751.0007, ISBN 9781137470751
^ SAMO

Major Gideon S. Hall, Warlords of the Somali Civil War (1988-1995), Master's degree research report, Air Command and Staff College, United States Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 2015. Introductory overview.

[Fitzgerald-1] Nina J. Fitzgerald, Somalia: issues, history, and bibliography, (Nova Publishers: 2002), p.25.

[THE-FALL-OF-SIAD-BARRE-AND-DESCENT-INTO-CIVIL-WAR-2] The Fall of Siad Barre and the Descent into Civil War Nations Encyclopedia

[LIBERATION-MOVEMENTS-OF-SOMALIA-3] The Liberation Movements of Somalia Archived 2006-12-10 at the Wayback Machine Jack L. Davies, 27 August 1994

[4] Uwechue, Raph (1991). Africa Today. Africa Journal Limited. ISBN 9780903274197. (founded 1989, leader, Mohammed Farah Abdullah)

[5] ttps://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1108483/1329_1200641767_somalia-april-2001.pdf^{[bare URL]}

[6] Mukhtar, Mohamed Haji (2003-02-25). Historical Dictionary of Somalia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810866041.

[7] "Somali Boundaries and the Question of Statehood", Security, Clans and Tribes, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014, doi:10.1057/9781137470751.0007, ISBN 9781137470751

[8] SAMO

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show v t Somalia War (2006–2009)
Part of the Somali Civil War Ethiopian–Somali conflict War on Terror
Timeline	2006 2007 2008 2009
Background	History of Somalia (1991–2006) Greater Somalia Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa Somali Civil War Factions Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts Propaganda Disarmament Advance of the Islamic Courts Union (2006) Battle of Mogadishu (2006) Ethiopian–Somali conflict Insurgency in Ogaden Somali Reconciliation Conferences 1993 2002 2007
Battles	Battle of Baidoa Battle of Bandiradley Battle of Beledweyne (2006) Battle of Jowhar Fall of Mogadishu Battle of Jilib Fall of Kismayo Battle of Ras Kamboni Battle of Mogadishu (March–April 2007) Battle of Bargal (2007) Battle of Mogadishu (November 2007) Battle of Mogadishu (2008) Battle of Beledweyne (2008) Siege of Baidoa Battle of Kismayo (2008)
OEF–HOA	Battle of Ras Kamboni Battle of Bargal (2007) Dobley airstrike Dhusamareb airstrike
Other events	2007 Mogadishu TransAVIAexport Airlines Il-76 crash February 2008 Bosaso bombings Al-Hidaya Mosque massacre 2008 Mogadishu bombing 2008 Hargeisa–Bosaso bombings
Key players	Ethiopia Meles Zenawi Gabre Heard Islamic Courts Union Hassan Dahir Aweys Sharif Sheikh Ahmed al-Itihaad al-Islamiya Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki Hizbul Shabaab Mukhtar Robow Aden Hashi Farah Aero ARPCT Abdi Hasan Awale Mohamed Omar Habeb Transitional Federal Parliament Ali Mohammed Ghedi Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Puntland Mohamud Muse Hersi Galmudug Mohamed Warsame Ali United States Jendayi Frazer AMISOM Yoweri Museveni
Next phase: Somali Civil War (2009–present)

show v t Somali Civil War (2009–present)
Part of the Somali Civil War War on Terror
Timeline	2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Background	History of Somalia (1991–2006) Greater Somalia Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa Somali Civil War Factions Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts Propaganda Disarmament Advance of the Islamic Courts Union (2006) Battle of Mogadishu (2006) Ethiopian–Somali conflict Insurgency in Ogaden Somali Reconciliation Conferences 1993 2002 2007
Operations and battles	Battle of South Mogadishu Battle of Mogadishu (2009) Battle for Central Somalia (2009) Battle of Wabho Battle of Kismayo (2009) Battle of Beledweyne (2010) 2010 Ayn clashes 2010 Kenya–Al-Shabaab border clash Galgala campaign Battle of Mogadishu (2010–2011) Battle of Beledweyne (2011) Battle of Gedo Battle of Elwaq Battle of Jubbada Hoose Operation Linda Nchi Battle of Kismayo (2012) Battle of Yurkud (2012) Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt Operation Indian Ocean Battle of Leego (2015) Battle of Janale (2015) Battle of El Adde Qandala campaign Battle of Kulbiyow 2017 raid on Barii Battle of Af Urur Golweyn ambush 2018 African Union base attack in Bulo Marer Camp Simba attack 2021 Mogadishu mutiny
Attacks	2009 African Union base bombings in Mogadishu 2009 Beledweyne bombing 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing May 2010 Mogadishu bombings 2010 Kampala bombings Muna Hotel attack 2011 Mogadishu bombing Battle of Deynile Westgate shopping mall attack 2014 Villa Somalia attack 2014 Hotel Amalo attack 2015 Central Hotel attack Makka al-Mukarama hotel attack Garissa University College attack 2015 Ministry of Higher Education attack 2015 Garowe attack Jazeera Palace Hotel bombing Sahafi Hotel attacks January 2016 Mogadishu attack Daallo Airlines Flight 159 February 2016 Mogadishu attack Baidoa suicide bombing June 2016 Mogadishu attacks 2016 Galkayo bombings November 2016 Mogadishu car bombing December 2016 Mogadishu suicide bombing 2 January 2017 Mogadishu bombings Dayah Hotel attack February 2017 Mogadishu bombing 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings 28 October 2017 Mogadishu attacks February 2018 Mogadishu attacks March 2018 Mogadishu bombing July 2018 Mogadishu bombings 2 September 2018 Mogadishu bombing Sahafi Hotel attacks December 2018 Mogadishu bombing Nairobi DusitD2 complex attack Nairobi Latema Road blast 4 February 2019 Mogadishu bombing 28 February 2019 Mogadishu bombings Asasey Hotel attack 22 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing 24 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing 2019 Kenya bus shooting December 2019 Mogadishu bombing 2020 Afgooye bombing August 2020 Mogadishu bombing 2020 Galkayo bombing 2021 Mogadishu suicide car bombing June 2021 Mogadishu bombing
OEF–HOA	2009 Baraawe raid Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt 2013 raid on Barawe 2017 raid on Barii
Other events	Death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor London Somalia Conference Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy Daallo Airlines Flight 159 Awdinle massacre
Key players	Al-Shabaab Mukhtar Robow Ali Dhere Fuad Qalaf Hizbul Islam Hassan Dahir Aweys Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki Federal Government of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud Omar Sharmarke Mohamed Sheikh Hassan Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Galmudug Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid Puntland Abdiweli Gaas AMISOM AFRICOM Islamic State in Somalia
Previous phase: Somalia War (2006–2009)