Somali Civil War (2009–present)

Somali Civil War (2009–present)
X-Wu-Z · CC BY 4.0 · source
Conflict	Somali Civil War (2009–present)
Date	2009–present
Place	Somalia, Puntland, Somaliland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, South West State
Combatant1	Federal Government of Somalia; Somali National Army; African Union Mission in Somalia; AMISOM; United States; Ethiopia; Kenya
Combatant2	Al-Shabaab (militant group); Hizbul Islam; Islamic Courts Union (elements); Ansar al-Sharia (Somalia); ISIL (cells)
Strength1	varies
Strength2	varies
Casualties	See text

Somali Civil War (2009–present) The Somali Civil War (2009–present) is the ongoing phase of armed conflict in Somalia that followed the collapse of central authority after the Somali Civil War (1991–2006) and the 2006–2009 insurgency. It features protracted combat between Islamist insurgents, notably Al-Shabaab (militant group), and actors supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, with repeated interventions by regional states such as Ethiopia and Kenya, and international forces including the United States and European Union.

Background and Origins

The conflict emerged from the aftermath of the Transitional Federal Government era, the defeat of the revived Islamic Courts Union by Ethiopian intervention in Somalia (2006) and the rise of Al-Shabaab (militant group), which split from Hizbul Islam and former Union of Islamic Courts elements. Political fragmentation involved regional administrations such as Puntland and Somaliland, armed movements linked to clan networks like the Darod and Hawiye factions, and interventions by neighboring states including Kenya and Ethiopia. International counterterrorism efforts by the United States and organizations like United Nations missions shaped early trajectories alongside humanitarian crises involving Food security in Somalia and recurring droughts in the Horn of Africa.

Major Belligerents and Alliances

Principal belligerents include the internationally recognized Federal Government of Somalia, backed by the Somali National Army and regional forces from Galmudug, Jubaland, and South West State, supported operationally and logistically by African Union Mission in Somalia forces under AMISOM mandates drawn from troop-contributing countries such as Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Opposing forces are dominated by Al-Shabaab (militant group), which at times contended with rival Islamist factions such as Ansar al-Sharia (Somalia) and splinter cells sympathetic to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant affiliates like ISIL in Somalia. External patrons and actors include the United States conducting airstrikes and special operations, United Kingdom intelligence cooperation, Turkey diplomatic and development engagement with the Federal Government of Somalia, and United Arab Emirates support for regional administrations such as Puntland and Galmudug.

Timeline of Key Military Campaigns and Events

Major campaigns began with AMISOM offensives capturing Mogadishu strongholds from Al-Shabaab (militant group) during battles such as the Battle of Mogadishu (2010–11), followed by advances in the Lower Shabelle and Bay regions and operations against Al-Shabaab (militant group) in Kismayo culminating in the Battle of Kismayo (2012). High-profile attacks included assaults on the Mogadishu Parliament, the Westgate shopping mall attack (2013) in Nairobi, and the Kampala bombing (2010) targeting AMISOM contingents. Key episodes involved Operation Linda Nchi by Kenya Defence Forces, Ethiopian incursions like the Ethiopian intervention in Somalia (2006–2009) follow-ons, US drone strikes and raids such as the 2013 Baraawe raid, and territorial contests in Galbeed and Middle Jubba provinces. Political-military turning points included the 2012 adoption of a new Provisional Federal Constitution (Somalia), the withdrawal and transitions of AMISOM mandates, and the rise and decline of Al-Shabaab (militant group) control in rural districts.

Humanitarian Impact and Displacement

The conflict precipitated widespread humanitarian crises involving famine declarations linked with Somalia famine (2011), recurrent droughts in the Horn of Africa, and epidemics such as cholera outbreaks in Somalia. Displacement produced millions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo, and Galkayo, and refugee flows to Kenya (Dadaab and Kakuma camps), Ethiopia (Dollo Ado camps), and Djibouti. Humanitarian responses included operations by OCHA, World Food Programme, UNICEF, and International Committee of the Red Cross amid access constraints due to Al-Shabaab (militant group) attack risks and maritime piracy affecting aid delivery.

Political Developments and Governance

Political milestones included the formation of the Federal Government of Somalia in 2012, the establishment of federal member states such as Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and South West State, and the 2016 and 2022 presidential elections involving figures like Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed. Power-sharing accords were mediated through conferences in Djibouti, Addis Ababa, and Garowe with involvement from the IGAD and the African Union. Institutional reforms touched the National Intelligence and Security Agency and the Somali Police Force amid ongoing debates over constitutional federalism and control of resources in regions such as Sool and Buuhoodle.

International Involvement and Peacekeeping

International roles encompassed the African Union's AMISOM transitioning to the United Nations' envisioned follow-on and bilateral support from countries like the United States (Counterterrorism Assistance), Turkey (developmental diplomacy), and the European Union (capacity-building). Regional interventions featured Kenya's Operation Linda Nchi, Ethiopia's military deployments, and coordination through IGAD. Peacekeeping and stabilization efforts involved training programs by Turkey and United Arab Emirates contributions to security institutions, as well as sanctions and monitoring by the United Nations Security Council and targeted actions by the United States Africa Command.

Ceasefires, Peace Processes, and Prospects for Resolution

Ceasefire attempts and negotiations have included localized truces with Al-Shabaab (militant group) commanders, dialogues facilitated by IGAD and the United Nations, and reconciliation conferences such as those in Garowe and Baidoa. Durable resolution faces obstacles from contested federalism between Mogadishu and member states, competition over ports like Kismayo and Berbera, continued insurgent capacity of Al-Shabaab (militant group), and regional rivalries involving Ethiopia and Kenya. Prospects hinge on security sector reform, inclusive political settlement endorsed by actors including the African Union and United Nations, economic reconstruction supported by partners like World Bank and African Development Bank, and sustained humanitarian stabilization to address displacement and recovery.

Category:Conflicts in Somalia