Battle Of Mogadishu (2010–2011)
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The Battle of Mogadishu (2010–11) began on 23 August 2010 when al-Shabaab insurgents began attacking government and
African Union Mission to Somalia The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations Security Council. It was mandated to support transitional governmental structures, imple ...
(AMISOM) positions in the Somali capital of
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
. Al-Shabaab began its offensive after its spokesman said the group was declaring a "massive war" on troops sent by AMISOM, describing its 6,000 peacekeepers as "invaders". In December 2010 the number of AMISOM troops was increased to 8,000 and later to 9,000. The battle's name usually includes the years, when referenced, in order to distinguish it amongst the nine major Battles of Mogadishu during the decades long
Somali Civil War The Somali Civil War ( so, Dagaalkii Sokeeye ee Soomaaliya; ar, الحرب الأهلية الصومالية ) is an ongoing civil war that is taking place in Somalia. It grew out of resistance to the Military dictatorship, military junta wh ...
.


Background

Al-Shabaab had previously declared a "massive" war against the internationally-backed Transitional Federal Government and AMISOM troop "invaders." On 11 July 2010 they attacked Kampala, Uganda in revenge for the country's support of
African Union The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the Africa ...
troops in Somalia. The attacks took place as hundreds of additional Ugandan troops arrived in the country.


Fighting


2010


August: Ramadan Offensive

Forty people were reportedly killed and more than one hundred injured in the violence that began on 23 August. After that, fighting continued and the next day, when several al-Shabaab militants, disguised as government workers, launched an attack on the Muna Hotel, a hotel known for hosting many Somali government officials and politicians, the hotel was located a kilometre away from the presidential palace
Villa Somalia Villa Somalia ( so, Madaxtooyada Soomaaliya, ar, فيلا الصومال) is a building in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. It serves as the palace and principal workplace of the President of Somalia. History The edifice was built in the Ar ...
. Thirty one people were reported killed in the hotel incident, including eleven lawmakers. By 26 August, one-hundred fifteen people had been killed and two hundred had been wounded and hundreds of people were reported to have fled the city. Both sides claimed advances with Mujahideen fighters making new bases in the areas they had captured; however, a police spokesman denied al-Shabaab claims that government troops were losing territory in the city. The next day, al-Shabaab said it had called eleven truckloads of reinforcements to take over the capital Mogadishu after a week-long battle. The government again, however, continued to deny claims that al-Shabaab was gaining any ground. On 30 August, fighting was renewed when al-Shabaab fighters attempted to take a government barracks around Sigale in the capital's Hodan neighbourhood. The ensuring action left six confirmed dead and sixteen wounded and by the end of the month
UPI United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th c ...
reported that a mortar attack by al-Shabaab killed four Ugandan peacekeepers guarding the presidential palace in Mogadishu. A TFG spokesman. Barigye Ba-Hoku denied claims though by al-Shabaab that the group was close to capturing a road connecting the
Palace A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence, or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word is derived from the Latin name palātium, for Palatine Hill in Rome which ...
to the
Airport An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surface ...
.


September

The first week of September started with at least nineteen people being killed in fresh fighting between Somali government forces and al-Shabaab. Almost 14,000 of the displaced people left Mogadishu by the fifth entirely as fighting continued, and by weeks end three more Somalis were killed and twenty-three wounded as five hundred shells pounded northern and southern parts of the capital. On 9 September al-Shabaab attacked Mogadishu's
airport An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surface ...
when a bomb exploded outside. A second vehicle full of militants then opened fire on the peacekeepers and Somali security forces, which left at least eight people killed (two of whom were peacekeeping force soldiers). On 16 September at least eighteen civilians were killed in fighting between al-Shabaab and the government forces near the
Bakaara Market The Bakaaraha Market ( so, Suuqa Bakaaraha) is an open market in Mogadishu, Somalia. It is the largest in the nation. The name ''Bakaaraha'' is derived from the Somali word for grain silo or storage, . The market was created in late 1972 during th ...
. Fighting continued into 20 September with at least 10 more civilian casualties. On 20 September, Islamic militants seized two radio stations in the capital, and a suicide bomber blew herself up at the gates of the presidential palace in Mogadishu, slightly injuring two soldiers. Al-Shabaab launched a new offensive against government forces and AMISOM on 22 September. Nineteen civilians and twenty-four Islamists were killed, one soldier member of AMISOM was killed and two others wounded as a result. On 27 September al-Shabaab militants attacked the National Parliament building with mortars while a lawmakers' meeting was assembled. Government soldiers and African Union forces repelled the attack, however.


October

Between 5–6 October, at least fifteen people were killed and twenty-two others wounded in fighting in Mogadishu between insurgent forces and AMISOM. Most of the dead were civilians. However, on 7 October it was reported that AU troops had captured more territory and were expected to control half of the city by the end of the month. By 11–12 October, fifteen more people were killed in clashes as fighting continued. Organized by the city's local government on 24 October, hundreds of people rallied in the Somali government controlled part of Mogadishu to protest against the Islamist insurgency and call for peaceful resolution. By the end of the month, officials in Mogadishu claimed that they had the upper hand in six of the capital's 16 districts, but battling continued. Outside the capital, Ahlu Sunna wal Jamaa also made additional progress chasing al-Shabaab out of a few towns in the recent weeks. Al-Shabaab was reported to be continuing its terror tactics and smart guerrilla tactics.


November

On 1 November, at least twelve people were killed in a battle between government forces and militants. Three government soldiers were killed, with six wounded. Witnesses claim civilians were also killed during the battle. The next day, Somalia's new prime minister
Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ( so, Maxaamed Cabdullaahii Maxaamed, ar, محمد عبدالله محمد; born 11 March 1962), also known as Farmaajo, is a Somali politician who served as president of Somalia from 2017 to 2022. He was prime minist ...
was sworn in as twenty-one more people were killed and thirty wounded, as allied TFG and African Union forces battled al-Shabaab insurgents. Mohamed was quoted as saying "I will uphold and protect the laws of the country and I will pursue the common interest of the people and the nation.". By 11 November, twelve more people were killed and twenty-five others injured after an attack in Mogadishu's northern district of Boondheere and 18 November saw twenty-one more civilians killed from artillery shelling. On 28 November, the president of
Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
Yoweri Museveni Yoweri Kaguta Museveni Tibuhaburwa (born 15 September 1944) is a Ugandan politician and retired senior military officer who has been the 9th and current President of Uganda since 26 January 1986. Museveni spearheaded rebellions with aid of then ...
visited Mogadishu and urged the international community to provide more support for the government of Somalia. However, the next day at least fifteen people died and twenty-five injured after Islamist fighters attacked government positions in the northern part of the city.


December

The month began with more AMISOM troops being deployed on 2 December as more attacks continued, mostly in the northern part of the city. On 5 December, at least twelve more people and twenty others were wounded as a result of heavy artillery exchange in one of the city's northern districts. Fifteen additional people were killed between 10 and 11 December and on 15 December heavy fighting was reported as al-Shabaab tried to cut off Maka-Almukarama which is the only street in Mogadishu that the Somali government officials and the African Union troops use for their especial purposes. On 20 December 2010, Hizbul Islam officially surrendered to al-Shabaab and the two organisations merged. As a result, al-Shabaab fighters started taking over Hizbul Islam positions, while Hizbul Islam fighters were allowed to enter al-Shabaab-controlled territories as well. On 23 December, the two sides formally declared unity in Mogadishu with a ceremony held in the Nasrudin mosque, which was attended by al-Shabaab's official spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Raghe and Sheik Abdifatah Mo'allin Mohamed, Hizbul Islam's head of information. New fighting broke out on 25 December, killing at least two and injuring at least 25; the fighting happened as al-Shabaab declared it would increase its attacks after its merger with Hizbul Islam. Twenty-five more people were killed and thirty-two civilians were wounded in the fighting on 30 December.


2011


January

The new year opened up with a violent mutiny staged by government forces which resulted in three soldiers being killed and seven wounded over nonpayment of salaries. Nineteen people were also killed in clashes on 1 January as insurgents attacked bases of Somali government forces.


February – March: anti-insurgency offensive

On 19 February, AMISOM forces clashed with al-Shabaab in the Sigaale and El Hindi areas of Hawl Wadag district. The battle lasted for two days and reached a death toll of more than 20 people, including several foreign al-Shabaab fighters. The next day it was reported that AMISOM troops destroyed a large complex of al-Shabaab trenches, and killed six al-Shabaab commanders in Mogadishu. Two AMISOM troops were
KIA Kia Corporation, commonly known as Kia (, ; formerly known as Kyungsung Precision Industry and Kia Motors Corporation), is a South Korean multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It is South Korea's second lar ...
. AMISOM and TFG forces then advanced northwest into the Hodan district of Mogadishu. As a result, on 23 February, several strategic places were captured. This includes the former Defense Ministry that al-Shabaab used as a base and where they launched the attacks from during the Ramadan Offensive. Warshadda Aanaha (former Milk Factory) and sections of Industrial Road were also captured. At least 86 Somali soldiers, 8 AU soldiers, 70 al-Shabaab fighters and 45 civilians were killed during the battles. A major explosion occurred on 21 February when a suicide car bomb detonated at a police post in the Hamar jajab district of Mogadishu. At least 20 people were killed, including TFG policemen and a woman. During 25 February, AMISOM and TFG forces took over Mogadishu junction Florence (Hararyale), Ged Je'el in the street of Wadnaha and advanced to around 500 meters from Bakaara Market. Another trench system used by al-Shabaab was discovered and destroyed. In February, over 50 AMISOM soldiers were killed by the insurgents. As the offensive continued, it was reported on 5 March that up to 53 AMISOM members may have died in the clashes. Of those, 43 Burundian and 10 Ugandan.
Burundi Burundi (, ), officially the Republic of Burundi ( rn, Repuburika y’Uburundi ; Swahili language, Swahili: ''Jamuhuri ya Burundi''; French language, French: ''République du Burundi'' ), is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the ...
announced on 12 March that they had deployed 1,000 extra soldiers to AMISOM over a two-day period, bringing the total Burundi contribution up to 4,400 soldiers. On 16 March, Abdikadir Yusuf Aar a.k.a. Sheikh Qalbi, a senior al-Shabaab official serving as the group's leader in the Juba and Gedo regions was killed in Mogadishu.


May – June: Bakaara market offensive

Bakaara market The Bakaaraha Market ( so, Suuqa Bakaaraha) is an open market in Mogadishu, Somalia. It is the largest in the nation. The name ''Bakaaraha'' is derived from the Somali word for grain silo or storage, . The market was created in late 1972 during th ...
has for several years been one of the main strongholds and sources of income (together with the port in
Kismayo Kismayo ( so, Kismaayo, Maay Maay, Maay: ''Kismanyy'', ar, كيسمايو, ; it, Chisimaio) is a port city in the southern Lower Juba (Jubbada Hoose) province of Somalia. It is the commercial capital of the autonomous Jubaland region. The cit ...
) for al-Shabaab. The market has been used for launching attacks and for shooting mortars towards AMISOM and TFG-controlled areas of Mogadishu. It has been hard to target al-Shabaab hiding within the market, as it is the largest in Somalia and packed with civilians. On 12 May TFG, AMISOM and
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) ( so, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca) is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Salafism. The group opposes hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist inte ...
launched an offensive towards Bakaara market. The goal of the offensive was to take control of Bakaara market located in the Hawl Wadag district of Mogadishu. It was part of a major offensive going on in several places in Somalia to take back those areas under al-Shabaab control. Two days into the battle, on 14 May, the al-Shabaab commander of Bakaara market, Abdifatah Mahamed, was killed together with his intelligence officer Abdiwahab Sheik Dole. On 15 May, heavy fighting occurred, causing more than 35 deaths, 35 killed in Mogadishu clashes including al-Shabaab commander of Hawlwadag district Ali Burhan "Ayatuulah". After four days of fighting TFG, AMISOM and
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) ( so, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca) is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Salafism. The group opposes hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist inte ...
forces had advanced around 500 meters towards the market. The front line was on 16 May around 500–700 meters north and west of the market and 200 meters south of it. The areas seized from al-Shabaab included a former Sufi shrine that al-Shabaab used as a military base. In an attack on 16, 6 May
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) ( so, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca) is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Salafism. The group opposes hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist inte ...
soldiers were killed in a mortar attack and 17 injured. Heavy shelling hit the Bakaara Market on 14 May, resulting in at least 14 civilian deaths. Most of the civilians killed were women doing their shopping; as well as one child. Shelling continued on 20 May and in Saraha Boliska in the Wadajir district, 3 people were killed in another shelling incident and 6 were injured. Mortars also hit the Bulahubey neighborhood, injuring two people. A major breakthrough happened on 22 May when most of the marked roads, including the Wadnaha road (National road), fell into the hands of TFG and AMISOM. During the fighting, 2 civilians, 4 AMISOM soldiers and 22 al-Shabaab fighters were killed. Al-Shabaab lost one of their top leaders in Mogadishu. Before being killed, Abu Hubeyda was coordinating the al-Shabaab attacks from Bakaara market. As the AMISOM and TFG forces advanced, they captured the famous Red Mosque on 23 May. In an attempt on 25 May to open a second front and relieve some of the pressure from Bakaara market, around 300 al-Shabaab fighters attacked AMISOM and TFG bases in Bondere, Shingani and Scibis. At least five al-Shabaab fighters were killed. Fighting continued the next night and at least one person was killed. Due to the tense situation in Bakaara market, merchants started to evacuate the market. Some of the shop-keepers re-opened in TFG-controlled parts of Mogadishu. During the offensive, several key places were captured by AMISOM and TFG. They include the Red mosque, Wadnaha road (National road), Sheikh Ali Suffi mosque, African Village and "Tarabunka" (old parade ground). Around 15 vehicles carrying foreign al-Shabaab fighters (of African origin and one truck of Pakistani and Yemenite) left Abdul Aziz district in Mogadishu heading to
Afgoye Afgooye ( so, Afgooye, ar, أفجويى, it, Afgoi) is a town in the southwestern Somalia Lower Shebelle (Shabellaha Hoose) region of Somalia. It is the center of the Afgooye District. Afgooye is the third largest city of Southwest State. Afgo ...
on 30 May. At the same time, al-Shabaab deployed fighters from
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
and
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
region to the front line in Bakaara market in an attempt to put a halt to the offensive made by AMISOM and TFG. At 16:45 hours, al-Shabaab insurgents disguised as SNA (Somali Army) soldiers driving a white mini-van opened fire at AMISOM and
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) ( so, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca) is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Salafism. The group opposes hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist inte ...
fighters at the "Dabka" base. The insurgence objective was the
Ugandan }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southe ...
AMISOM soldiers stationed in Maka Al-Mukarama. Due to a mistake, the insurgents attacked the building next to the one holding AMISOM soldiers, containing
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) ( so, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca) is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Salafism. The group opposes hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist inte ...
fighters. The area was heavily guarded and three of the al-Shabaab insurgents were killed in the firefight while two exploded (suicide bombers), killing several civilians on the Maka Al-Mukarama road. Then the 3 extant insurgents ran towards the Liberian village, where SNA soldiers were stationed. Two AMISOM soldiers and 6 insurgents were killed in the emerging fight, while three AMISOM soldiers and 6
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ) ( so, Ahlu Suna Waljamaaca) is a Somalia-based paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to radical Salafism. The group opposes hardline capital punishment or limb amputations advocated by extremist inte ...
fighters were injured. One of the al-Shabaab suicide bombers killed during the attack was Abdullahi Ahmed, a Somali/American from
Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...
, USA. Al-Shabaab launched hit-and-run attacks on AMISOM and SNA bases at Warshadaha Street in the early morning of 2 June. At least two people were killed and three injured in the erupting battle. Around 17 civilians were killed and 46 injured in the fighting that continued at Wadnaha Road, former Ministry of Defense and Hodan district. Most of the casualties occurred when artillery fire hit a bus station. AMISOM and SNA continued their advance and penetrated deep into al-Shabaab trenches. The result of the fighting was that AMISOM (Burundi troops) and SNA gained full control over Taranbunka road, which leads from km 4 to the Industrial road as well as over the western access to Bakaara market. Friday, 3 June was a calm day in Mogadishu. AMISOM troops moved out of some of its key bases in the city, and moved forward to the newly established bases closer to Bakara market in African Village and on Wadnaha road (National road). The
Somali Police Force ) , mission = , formedyear = , formedmonthday = , preceding1 = Police Corps of Somalia (1910–1960) , employees = , volunteers = , budget = , nongovernment = , country ...
was tasked with the security in the rear areas where AMISOM pulled out. After using Friday to prepare, AMISOM and SNA attacked al-Shabaab in the northeastern parts of Mogadishu on Saturday. AMISOM were advancing with tanks towards al-Shabaab positions. The whole district of Bondere (including the former embassies of Italy and
Syria Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...
), Siinay Village in Wardhigley district and Afarta Jardiino in Yaqshid district and Damanyo military camp (Shirkole Ofshiale) were captured by AMISOM and SNA. At least 15 people were killed (including 1
Ugandan }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southe ...
soldier) and 30 injured. It is believed that the majority of the injured were civilians. The commander of the
Ugandan }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southe ...
23rd Battalion,
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...
Patrick Tibihwa and 3 other
Ugandan }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southe ...
soldiers were killed on Saturday, 4 June. The
Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...
is the highest ranking
Ugandan }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The southe ...
officer killed in Somalia. He was killed by a stray bullet in Bondere district of Mogadishu. The 3 others were hit by mortars in the same district. Fighting continued on Sunday 5 June. Suqa Holaha, Jungal, Siisii and Fagah neighborhoods were hit by several artillery shells. 8 civilians were killed and 15 injured. The
Somali Police Force ) , mission = , formedyear = , formedmonthday = , preceding1 = Police Corps of Somalia (1910–1960) , employees = , volunteers = , budget = , nongovernment = , country ...
took over the security of Km 4, Guriga Shaqalaha, Isgoyska Dabka and Makka Almukara roads on 6 June. This happened after AMISOM and SNA moved their forces to the front line in Mogadishu. Mortars hit the neighborhoods near the sea resort in Karan district. Around 10 civilian people were killed and residents started to evacuate the district in fear of more shelling. Two civilians were killed and 1 injured on 7 June, when al-Shabaab insurgence opened fire at
khat Khat or qat ( ''ch’at''; Oromo: ''Jimaa'', so, qaad, khaad, khat or chat, ar, القات ''al-qāt'') is a flowering plant native to eastern and southern Africa. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant, which is said to cause e ...
traders in Almada area of Mogadishu. The head of VIP section at
Aden Adde International Airport Aden Adde International Airport ( so, Garoonka Caalamiga Ee Aadan Cadde, ar, مطار آدم عدي الدولي) , formerly known as Mogadishu International Airport, is an international airport serving Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. I ...
Omar Abdulle Mohamed a.k.a. Omar Qaldaan was assassinated on 8 June. When he left a mosque in Dharkeynley district of Mogadishu a man dressed in the uniform of SNA approached him. When he noticed the man he then tried to escape but was shot in the head and died instantly. Since being appointed head of
VIP A very important person or personage (VIP or V.I.P.) is a person who is accorded special privileges due to their high social status, influence or importance. The term was not common until sometime after World War 2 by RAF pilots. Examples incl ...
section at
Aden Adde International Airport Aden Adde International Airport ( so, Garoonka Caalamiga Ee Aadan Cadde, ar, مطار آدم عدي الدولي) , formerly known as Mogadishu International Airport, is an international airport serving Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. I ...
earlier this year he had received several death threats. al-Shabaab is the prime suspect after the Assassination. The top al-Shabaab commander
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed Fazul Abdullah Mohammed ( ar, فاضل عبدالله محمد) (25 August 1972 – 8 June 2011, also known as Fadil Harun) was a Comorian-Kenyan member of al-Qaeda, and the leader of its presence in East Africa. Mohammed was born in Mor ...
and a Kenyan extremist Musa Hussein (a.k.a. Musa Sambayo), were driving in a car carrying $40,000 in United States Dollars, as well as medicine, telephones, laptops and a
South African passport A South African passport (Also commonly referred to as the ' Green Mamba' or the 'Biltong Book' by South Africans) is a travel document issued to citizens of South Africa for the purpose of international travel. It allows the bearer to travel in ...
in the
Afgooye Afgooye ( so, Afgooye, ar, أفجويى, it, Afgoi) is a town in the southwestern Somalia Lower Shebelle (Shabellaha Hoose) region of Somalia. It is the center of the Afgooye District. Afgooye is the third largest city of Southwest State. Afgo ...
corridor, northwest of Mogadishu on 8 June 2011. Musa Hussein was known to Mohammed as Abdullahi Dere and is believed to have been involved in funding operations for al-Shabaab. They had been driving from
Jubbada Hoose Lower Juba ( so, Jubbada Hoose, Maay Maay, Maay: ''Jubithy Hoosy'', ar, جوبا السفلى, it, Basso Giuba) is an administrative region (''Administrative divisions of Somalia, gobol'') in southern Somalia. With its capital at Kismayo, it lie ...
with destination Mogadishu. There they were to meet another al-Shabaab commander. As the front line was changing daily in Mogadishu they took a wrong turn or got lost resulting in they entered Sarkuusta area in the outskirt of Mogadishu that TFG/AMISOM controlled. At 2:00 am they stopped at a
security checkpoint Civilian checkpoints or security checkpoints are distinguishable from border or frontier checkpoints in that they are erected and enforced within contiguous areas under military or paramilitary control. Civilian checkpoints have been employed w ...
managed by the Somali military (SNA). The SNA opened fire on the car when they were attacked, killing both Fazul Abdullah Mohammed and his accomplice. A suicide attack occurred at the Mogadishu port on 9 June. 2 al-Shabaab insurgence passed a check point at the port blended with other traders. Then they climbed over the fence and proceeded to the AMISOM base at the 4th store in the port. There they opened fire. One of the insurgence were shot and killed before being able to detonate the charge. The second insurgence detonated and killed 1 civilian. 3 AMISOM soldiers were injured in the attack. One of the suicide bombers was later identified as 27 years old Farah Mohamed Beledi from
Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...
, USA. On 10 June, the Interior Minister Abdi Shakur Sheikh Hassan was killed by a bomb at his home in Soobe near Km 4 in Mogadishu.
Somali Police Force ) , mission = , formedyear = , formedmonthday = , preceding1 = Police Corps of Somalia (1910–1960) , employees = , volunteers = , budget = , nongovernment = , country ...
claim he was killed when his niece from abroad, Haboon Abdulkadir Hersi Qaaf, acted as a suicide bomber. She was found dead at the scene, while the minister was taken to
Banadir Hospital The Banadir Maternity & Children Hospital ( so, Isbitaalka Banaadir) is a teaching hospital in the Wadajir District (Medina) of Mogadishu, Somalia. Built in 1977 as part of a Chinese development project, it became the nexus of a humanitarian cri ...
where he later was pronounced dead from the injuries sustained from the bomb. al-Shabaab however claimed responsibility for the attack and claim the bomb that detonated was planted under the ministers bed in his home. In the beginning of June there was a political crises between President
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Sheikh Ahmed ( so, Shariif Sheekh Axmed, ar, شريف شيخ أحمد; born 25 July 1964) is a Somali politician who served as President of Somalia from 2009 to 2012. He is the founder and leader of Himilo Qaran political party and ...
and the Speaker of Parliament
Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan ( so, Shariif Xasan Sheekh Aadan, ar, شريف حسن الشيخ آدم; is a Somali politician. He is a former Minister of Finance of Somalia, and the last Speaker of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP). Career ...
with ended with the "Kampala accord" on 9 June. During this time the offensive seem to have halted as the market has been besieged from three sides. AMISOM announced that taking complete control over Bakaara market could take as long as until October 2011.


= Casualties during the Bakara offensive

= (12 May – 11 June)


July

On 1 July
AMISOM The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) was a regional peacekeeping mission operated by the African Union with the approval of the United Nations Security Council. It was mandated to support transitional governmental structures, implem ...
confirmed that another 3,000 soldiers from UPDF had arrived in Mogadishu. SNA and AMISOM attacked Bangaria village in Hodan district and captured it from al-Shabaab on 5 July. Five civilians were killed during the fighting.


August

On 1 August at 7:30 pm, MP Kalif Jire Warfa (aged 54) was killed as he left Maruwas mosque in Mogadishu. Two armed men shot him six times in both head and shoulder killing him instantly. Both killers escaped the scene. al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the assassination. In the beginning of August at least 4 civilians were killed by snipers at Bakaara market. The area had been almost deserted after heavy battles have raged the area and snipers could be seen on most of the rooftops in the area. After becoming under increased pressure from SNA and AMISOM several al-Shabaab leaders including Fuad Mohamed Qalaf and
Omar Shafik Hammami Omar Shafik Hammami ( ar, عمر شفيق همّامي, Umar Shafīq Hammāmī; 6 May 1984 – 12 September 2013), also known by the pseudonym Abu Mansoor al-Amriki ( ar, أبو منصور الأمريكي, ''Abū Manṣūr al-Amrīkī''), was an ...
fled from Mogadishu on 4 August. al-Shabaab almost completely left the bases in Suqa Holaha, Tawakal Village and Daynile. When aid was to be delivered to
IDPs An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who is forced displacement, forced to leave their home but who remains within their country's borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the Refugee#Definition ...
at Badbaado camp in Mogadishu on 5 August at least 7 civilians were killed. The fighting started after SNA soldiers tried to loot the aid and
IDPs An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who is forced displacement, forced to leave their home but who remains within their country's borders. They are often referred to as refugees, although they do not fall within the Refugee#Definition ...
tried to prevent it. During the night from Friday to Saturday, 6 August, al-Shabaab abandoned all areas in Mogadishu. This move came after heavy fighting on 5 August, which included some of the most intensive firepower used by AMISOM. SNA and AMISOM had penetrated Bakaara market and closed in on the
Mogadiscio Stadium Mogadishu Stadium ( Somali: Garoonka Muqdisho) is a stadium in Mogadishu, Somalia. The stadium has been completely rebuilt and artificial turf was laid on 27 March 2020. History The facility was constructed in 1977 during the Siad Barre admini ...
which had been al-Shabaab's main base in the capital. al-Shabaab fighters fled in small cars from all areas and some left their weapons and al-Shabaab uniform to slip into civilian dresses. al-Shabaab leaders Sheikh Mukhtar Robow and
Hassan Dahir Aweys Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys (English: ( so, Xasan Daahir Aweys, ( ar, حسن طاهر أويس; born 1935) is a Somali political figure from the Habargidir/Ayr subclan within the Hawiye clan. During the regime of Siad Barre, Aweys was a colonel ...
are believed to have fled to
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
region of Somalia. On the morning of Saturday 6 SNA and AMISOM were in control of most of the areas abandoned by al-Shabaab including Bakaara market,
Mogadiscio Stadium Mogadishu Stadium ( Somali: Garoonka Muqdisho) is a stadium in Mogadishu, Somalia. The stadium has been completely rebuilt and artificial turf was laid on 27 March 2020. History The facility was constructed in 1977 during the Siad Barre admini ...
and the avenues Sodonka and Warshadaha. That same day, President
Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Sharif Sheikh Ahmed ( so, Shariif Sheekh Axmed, ar, شريف شيخ أحمد; born 25 July 1964) is a Somali politician who served as President of Somalia from 2009 to 2012. He is the founder and leader of Himilo Qaran political party and ...
said that al-Shabaab had been completely expelled from Mogadishu.


Aftermath

al-Shabaab militants attacked SNA army bases in Dayniile district. Nine people were killed and 13 were injured in the attack. The following day al-Shabaab launched new attacks on SNA in Yaqshid district. Two SNA soldiers were killed and two other injured. Later that day a car full of explosives blew up in the outskirts of Mogadishu leaving 14 people dead and 20 injured. On 9 August al-Shabaab attacked AMISOM bases in Abdiaziz district. Four were killed and five injured. On 14 August, al-Shabaab declared they would switch from conventional tactics to hit and run attacks and vowed to continue such attacks, claiming they inflicted more casualties on AMISOM that way. The following day al-Shabaab claimed the tactic to be successful and to have killed one AMISOM soldier from
Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
. AMISOM and SNA continued to advance in Mogadishu, and took control over Hotel Ramadan, Hotel Kaah, Ex-Mali TV center, Towfik junction, Towfik market, Ahmed Gurey School and Jungle on 16 August. They encountered some resistance from al-Shabaab fighters, but they were quickly overrun. Three employees (a nurse, a logistic officer and a driver) of Daynile Hospital in Mogadishu were kidnapped by al-Shabaab in the Huriwa district on 17 August. Seven people and 15 were injured in fighting between AMISOM/SNA and al-Shabaab. At least three people were killed and six injured when SNA clashed in Dharkenly district of Mogadishu on 20 August. The fighting started after disagreement on the taxation at a check-point and looting of aid supplies. Fuad Mohamed Qalaf spoke at a mosque in Eelasha-Biyaha district of Mogadishu on 21 August. He announced that al-Shabaab would assassinate those who support TFG and civilians would not be spared. The same day six civilians were injured in a grenade attack aimed at a SNA foot patrol at the Dabakayo-Madow village in the Dharkenyley district. al-Shabaab is the prime suspected as the bomber escaped from the scene. Three civilians were injured when al-Shabaab attacked a SNA base in Dharkinley district with hand granades. al-Shabaab attacked SNA bases in Yaqshid district on 23 August. Three people were killed and the injured. The following day the
Somali Police Force ) , mission = , formedyear = , formedmonthday = , preceding1 = Police Corps of Somalia (1910–1960) , employees = , volunteers = , budget = , nongovernment = , country ...
arrested three men carrying explosives in Dharkinley district. On 27 August, al-Shabaab attacked AMISOM and SNA on several locations in Mogadishu. Ten people were killed and 15 injured. Soldiers from SNA foiled a suicide attack at KM4 capturing a car full of explosives. 900 SNA soldiers graduated from Bihanga Military training School in Bihanga,
Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa East Africa, Eastern Africa, or East of Africa, is the eastern subregion of the African continent. In the United Nations Statistics Division scheme of geographic regions, 10-11-(16*) territor ...
on 31 August.


September

On 2 September, the 39-year-old Malaysian
camera operator A camera operator, or depending on the context cameraman or camerawoman, is a professional operator of a film camera or video camera as part of a film crew. The term "cameraman" does not imply that a male is performing the task. In filmmaking ...
Noramfaizul Mohd Nor, who was working for
Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
's national
Bernama TV The Malaysian National News Agency ( ms, Pertubuhan Berita Nasional Malaysia), is a news agency of the government of Malaysia. It is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia. Bernama (usually stylized in all caps) ...
, was shot and killed and fellow journalist and camera operator Aji Saregar Mazlan from
TV3 (Malaysia) TV3 (pronounced as ''Tivi Tiga'') is a Malaysian free-to-air television channel owned by Media Prima conglomerate. TV3 is the third and third oldest TV station in Malaysia. It was launched on 1 June 1984 as the country's first and oldest private ...
was wounded. The incident happened on Shakhala road, at the Kilometer Four intersection. It was four AMISOM soldiers from Burundi that opened fire on their vehicle, which was being escorted by soldiers from SNA. In August TFG decided to remove all checkpoints in and around Mogadishu. Fighting broke out when soldiers of SNA were to remove a checkpoint in Wadajir district on 2 September. Shortly after the fighting started soldiers from AMISOM arrived and restored order. The checkpoint were run by militia loyal to Ahmed Da'i, the district commissioner of Wadajir. Four people including two SNA soldiers were killed and six was wounded. al-Shabaab attacked SNA and AMISOM bases in the former defense ministry, Gulwadayaasha military camp, Jale Siyad faculty and Ex-control
Afgoye Afgooye ( so, Afgooye, ar, أفجويى, it, Afgoi) is a town in the southwestern Somalia Lower Shebelle (Shabellaha Hoose) region of Somalia. It is the center of the Afgooye District. Afgooye is the third largest city of Southwest State. Afgo ...
junction on 9 September. Three people were killed and five sustained injuries. On 8 September, a soldier from SNA started to shoot at IDPs in the Waberi district. Six civilians were killed and three people were injured. The soldier was arrested at the scene.


October

On 20 October AMISOM entered Daynile, the last district in Mogadishu that was under the control of al-Shabaab. The offensive started well with little resistance. As they advanced into the Daynile district al-Shabaab sealed off their retreat route and opened fire with rifles, belt-fed machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. A Burundian peacekeeper, Cpl. Arcade Arakaza later said: -''It was a classic envelope trap, with the Shabab drawing the peacekeepers deeper into their lair, sealing off the escape routes and then closing in from all sides.'' AMISOM managed to fight back and capture the Daynile police station. In the evening al-Shabaab reinforced with fighters from
Lower Shabelle Lower Shabelle ( so, Shabeellaha Hoose, Maay: ''Shibelithy Hoosy'', ar, شبيلي السفلى, it, Basso Scebeli) is an administrative region ('' gobol'') in southern Somalia. Geography Lower Shabelle is bordered by the regions of Banaadir, ...
,
Bay A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay. A large bay is usually called a Gulf (geography), gulf, sea, sound (geography), sound, or bight (geogra ...
and
Bakool Bakool ( so, Bakool, Maay: ''Bokool'', ar, بكول) is a region ('' gobol'') in southwestern Somalia. Overview It is bordered by the Somali regions of Hiiraan, Bay and Gedo. Bakool, like Gedo and Bay, as well as most parts of the Jubbada Dhe ...
launched a counterattack that recaptured the strategically important Daynile police station. The following day AMISOM sent reinforcements to the area and heavy fighting continued. When the battle was over more than 70 soldiers from AMISOM (mostly Burundi) had been killed and the Daynile district had fallen in the hands of SNA and AMISOM. At least 60 of the AMISOM soldiers killed in the ambush were put on display by al-Shabaabs spokesperson Ali Mohamud Rage in the Alamada area, 18 km outside Mogadishu.


See also

*
Somali Civil War The Somali Civil War ( so, Dagaalkii Sokeeye ee Soomaaliya; ar, الحرب الأهلية الصومالية ) is an ongoing civil war that is taking place in Somalia. It grew out of resistance to the Military dictatorship, military junta wh ...
*
Battle of Mogadishu (1993) The Battle of Mogadishu ( so, Maalintii Rangers, translation=Day of the Rangers), also known as the Black Hawk Down incident, was part of Operation Gothic Serpent. It was fought on 3–4 October 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, between forces of t ...
*
Battle of Mogadishu (2006) The Second Battle of Mogadishu was a battle fought for control of Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu. The opposing forces were the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT), and militia loyal to the Islamic Courts Unio ...
*
Fall of Mogadishu The Fall of Mogadishu occurred on December 28, 2006, when the militaries of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Ethiopian troops entered the Somali capital unopposed. It came after a swift string of TFG and Ethiopian military vic ...
(2006) *
Battle of Mogadishu (March–April 2007) The Battle of Mogadishu began on 21 March 2007 in the Shirkole area of Mogadishu between Somali Transitional Federal Government forces and allied Ethiopian troops, and Islamist insurgents. The battle usually includes the dates, when reference ...
*
Battle of Mogadishu (November 2007) The Third Battle of Mogadishu, in November 2007, was a series of confrontations in Mogadishu, Somalia in which 91 people died, mostly civilians killed by Ethiopian troops. The battle is called the Third Battle, or will include the date, in order ...
*
Battle of Mogadishu (2008) The 2008 Battle of Mogadishu began when Ethiopian soldiers started entering insurgent-held parts of the city which sparked heavy street fighting. Between 126 and 142 people died in the fighting. The battle usually includes the date, when referenc ...
*
Battle of South Mogadishu The Battle of South Mogadishu occurred in the Somali capital of Mogadishu on February 24, 2009. The battle's name includes South, when referenced, in order to distinguish it amongst the nine major Battles of Mogadishu during the decades long So ...
(2009) *
Battle of Mogadishu (2009) The Battle of Mogadishu (2009) started in May with an Islamist offensive, when rebels from al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam attacked and captured government bases in the capital of Mogadishu. The fighting soon spread, causing hundreds of casualtie ...


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle of Mogadishu (2010-11)
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
Mogadishu 2010-11 21st century in Mogadishu 2010 in Somalia 2011 in Somalia
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...
Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and List of cities in Somalia by population, most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port ...