Editing Somali Armed Forces

{{Short description|Military of the Federal Republic of Somalia}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox national military
| name = Somali Armed Forces
| native_name = {{lang|so|Xoogga Dalka Soomaaliyeed}}<br>{{lang|ar|القوات المسلحة الصومالية}}
| image = File:SNA Anniversary-12 (16498773484).jpg
| alt = 
| caption = Ceremony commemorating 55th Anniversary of the SNA held at the Army Headquarters on 12th April 2015.
| caption2 = 
| motto = 
| founded = 12 April 1960; 64 years ago
| current_form = August 2008{{sfn|Robinson|2016|p=242}}
| disbanded = 
| branches = {{Army|Somalia}}<br />{{Navy|Somalia}}<br />{{Air Force|Somalia}}<ref>{{cite Q|Q55885151|p=242}}</ref>
| headquarters = [[Mogadishu]], Somalia
<!-- Leadership -->| commander-in-chief = [[Hassan Sheikh Mohamud]]
| commander-in-chief_title = [[Commander-in-chief]]
| chief minister = 
| chief minister_title = [[List of prime ministers of Somalia|Prime Minister]]
| minister = [[Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur]]
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2022/Aug/187511/somalia_s_defence_minister_military_chief_arrive_in_beledweyne.aspx|title=Somalia's defence minister, military chief, arrive in Beledweyne|date=2023-07-12}}</ref>
| minister_title = [[Ministry of Defence (Somalia)|Minister of Defence]]
| commander = [[Major General]] [[Odowaa Yusuf Rageh]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2024 |title=Somali government reappoints General Odowa Raage as Somali National Army (SNA) Commander |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2024/Nov/198873/somali_government_reappoints_general_odowaa_yusuf_raage_as_somali_national_army_sna_commander.aspx?utm_source=hiiraan&utm_medium=SomaliNewsUpdateFront |access-date=2024-11-12 |website=[[Hiiraan Online]] |language=en-US}} {{Cite news |date=10 November 2024 |title=Somali Cabinet Backs Former Army Chief for Return Stint |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-10/somali-cabinet-backs-former-army-chief-for-return-stint-at-helm |url-access=subscription |work=[[Bloomberg News]]}}</ref>
| commander_title = [[Chief of Defence Force (Somalia)|Chief of Defence Force]]
<!-- Manpower -->| active = apx 15,000 (2020)<ref>Robinson, Colin D. "Rebuilding armies in southern Somalia: What currently should donors realistically aim for?," ''Conflict, Security & Development'' (2021): 320, 330-331.</ref><br>Substantial growth after 2022 - now may be over 30,000<ref>{{cite web|title=As ATMIS Looks To Withdraw  |url=https://theglobalobservatory.org/2024/12/as-atmis-looks-to-withdraw-the-risk-of-large-scale-al-shabaab-success-in-southern-somalia-is-high/#more-25374}}</ref>
| deployed = <!-- Financial -->
| amount = 
| percent_GDP = <!-- Equipment-->
| domestic_suppliers = 
| foreign_suppliers = {{flag|China}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202203190144.html | title=Somalia: China Donates Military Equipment to Somalia to Aid War Against Terrorists | date=19 March 2022 }}</ref><br>{{flag|Turkey}}<br>{{flag|United States}}<ref name=trade>{{cite web |url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Armstrade.sipri.org |access-date=5 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100414022558/http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |archive-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="African partners">{{cite web|title=United States ordered Acmat Bastion APCs for African partners|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41026:united-states-ordered-acmat-bastion-apcs-for-african-partners&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|date=13 October 2015|website=defenceweb.co.za|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010725/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41026:united-states-ordered-acmat-bastion-apcs-for-african-partners&catid=50:Land&Itemid=105|archive-date=6 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><br>''Former:<br>{{flag|Soviet Union}}<ref>https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:0c66a287-9ae8-4dcf-badc-a72bf04f399f</ref><br>{{flag|Yugoslavia}}<ref>https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/978-1-137-59743-4_5</ref>''
| imports = 
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = {{collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
| title = See list|
* [[Shifta War]]
* [[1964 Ethiopian–Somali Border War]]
* [[Somali invasion of Ogaden]]
* [[Ogaden War]]
* [[Rhamu Incident]]
* [[Somali Civil War]]
* [[Somaliland War of Independence]]<ref name=":23">{{Cite book|last=Richards|first=Rebecca|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vz6gCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA99|title=Understanding Statebuilding: Traditional Governance and the Modern State in Somaliland|date=24 February 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-00466-0}}</ref>
* [[1982 Ethiopian–Somali Border War]]
* [[Somali Rebellion]]
* [[Somalia War (2006–2009)]]
* [[Isaaq Genocide]]<ref name="Al Jazeera geno">{{cite web|last=Reinl|first=James|title=Investigating genocide in Somaliland|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/02/investigating-genocide-somaliland-20142310820367509.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507223827/http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/02/investigating-genocide-somaliland-20142310820367509.html|archive-date=7 May 2017|access-date=25 April 2017|publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref name=":56">Strategic Survey, 1989–1990 (1990), p. 87, International Institute for Strategic Studies</ref>{{sfn|Fitzgerald|2002|p=57}}<ref name=":43">Geldenhuys, p.131</ref>
* [[Somali Civil War (2009–present)]]
* [[Operation Indian Ocean]] (2014)
*[[Jubaland crisis]]
}}
| ranks = [[Military ranks of Somalia]]
}}
The '''Somali Armed Forces''' are the military forces of the [[Federal Republic of Somalia]].{{sfn|ILO|2012}} Headed by the [[President of Somalia|president]] as commander-in-chief, they are constitutionally mandated to ensure the nation's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.{{sfn|ILO|2012|page=Chapter 14, Article 126(3)}}

In 1990 the Armed Forces were made up of the [[Somali National Army|Army]], [[Somali Air Force|Air Force]], Air Defence Force, and [[Somali Navy|Navy]].{{sfn|Metz|1993|page=204}} From the early 1960s to 1977, the period
when good relations existed between Somalia and the Soviet Union, the Armed Forces had the largest armored and mechanized force in sub-Saharan Africa.{{sfn|Metz|1993|page=196}} Due to Barre's increasing reliance on his own clan, splitting the Armed Forces along clan lines, and the [[Somali Rebellion]], by 1988 they began to disintegrate.<ref>Alex de Waal, “Contemporary Warfare in Africa,” in Restructuring the Global Military Sector Vol. 1: New Wars, ed. Mary Kaldor and Basker Vashee (London: Pinter, 1997).</ref>{{sfn|Compagnon|1992|p=9}} By the time President [[Siad Barre]] fled Mogadishu in January 1991, the last cohesive army grouping, the 'Red Berets,' had deteriorated into a clan militia.{{sfn|Robinson|2019b|p=424}} 

An unsteady rebuilding process began after 2000, and gained pace after the Djibouti Agreement of 2008. The northeastern region of [[Puntland]] maintains its own [[Military of Puntland|separate military forces]].

== History ==
{{Main|Military history of Somalia}}

=== Middle Ages to colonial period ===
Historically, [[Somali people|Somali]] society conferred distinction upon warriors (''waranle'') and rewarded military acumen. All Somali males were regarded as potential soldiers, except for men of religion.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=196}} Somalia's many [[sultan]]ates each maintained regular troops. In the early [[Middle Ages]], the [conquest of [[Shewa]] by the [[Ifat Sultanate]] ignited a rivalry for supremacy with the [[Solomonic dynasty]].
[[File:Hobyo Sultanate Cavalry And Fort.jpg|thumb|right|300px|The [[Sultanate of Hobyo]]'s [[cavalry]] and fort]]
[[File:Italian artillery during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War.jpg|thumb|Somali Italian army artillery during the second Italo-Ethiopian War]]
Many similar battles were fought between the succeeding [[Adal Sultanate|Sultanate of Adal]] and the Solomonids, with both sides achieving victory and suffering defeat. During the protracted [[Ethiopian-Adal War]] (1529–1559), [[Imam]] [[Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi]] defeated several [[Emperor of Ethiopia|Ethiopian Emperors]] and embarked on a conquest referred to as the ''Futuh Al-Habash'' ("Conquest of Abyssinia"), which brought three-quarters of Christian [[Ethiopian Empire|Abyssinia]] under the power of the [[Muslim]] Adal Sultanate.<ref>Saheed A. Adejumobi, ''The History of Ethiopia'', (Greenwood Press: 2006), p.178</ref><ref>Encyclopædia Britannica, inc, ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', Volume 1, (Encyclopædia Britannica: 2005), p.163</ref> Al-Ghazi's forces and their [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] allies came close to extinguishing the ancient Ethiopian kingdom, but the Abyssinians managed to secure the assistance of [[Cristóvão da Gama]]'s Portuguese troops and maintain their autonomy.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=8}} However, both polities in the process exhausted their resources and manpower, which resulted in the contraction of both powers and changed regional dynamics for centuries to come. Many historians trace the origins of hostility between Somalia and [[Ethiopia]] to this war.<ref>David D. Laitin and Said S. Samatar, ''Somalia: Nation in Search of a State'' (Boulder: Westview Press, 1987).</ref> Some scholars also argue that this conflict proved, through their use on both sides, the value of [[firearms]] such as the [[matchlock]] [[musket]], [[cannon]]s and the [[arquebus]] over traditional weapons.<ref>Cambridge illustrated atlas, warfare: Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792 By Jeremy Black pg 9</ref>

At the turn of the 20th century, the [[Majeerteen Sultanate]], [[Sultanate of Hobyo]], Warsangali Sultanate and [[Dervish State]] employed [[cavalry]] in their battles against the [[Imperialism|imperialist]] European powers during the ''Campaign of the Sultanates''.

In [[Italian Somaliland]], eight "Arab-Somali" [[infantry]] [[battalion]]s, the ''[[Askari|Ascari]]'', and several [[Irregular military|irregular units]] of Italian officered ''[[dubats]]'' were established. These units served as frontier guards and police. There were also Somali artillery and [[zaptié]] (''carabinieri'') units forming part of the Italian Royal Corps of Colonial Troops from 1889 to 1941. Between 1911 and 1912, over 1,000 Somalis from Mogadishu served as combat units along with Eritrean and Italian soldiers in the [[Italo-Turkish War]].<ref name="dsfsdgfdsf">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?ei=_vexU_fCEYeEqgaqkYKIBQ& |title=Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall Yard, Volume 57, Issue 2 |author=W. Mitchell |page=997}}</ref> Most of these troops never returned home until they were transferred back to Italian Somaliland in preparation for the [[Second Italo-Ethiopian War|invasion of Ethiopia]] in 1935.{{sfn|Makin|1935|page=227}}

In 1914, the [[Somaliland Camel Corps]] was formed in [[British Somaliland]] and saw service before, during, and after the [[Italian invasion of British Somaliland|Italian invasion of the territory]] during [[World War II]].{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=199-200}}

=== 1960 to 1978 ===
{{See also|Ogaden War}}
Just prior to independence in 1960, the [[Trust Territory of Somalia]] established a national army to defend the nascent Somali Republic's borders. A law to that effect was passed on 6 April 1960. Thus the [[Somali Police Force]]'s Mobile Group (Darawishta Poliska or Darawishta) was formed. 12 April 1960 has since been marked as ''Armed Forces Day''.{{sfn|Robinson|2016|p=239}} British Somaliland became independent on 26 June 1960 as the [[State of Somaliland]], and the [[Trust Territory of Somalia]] (the former Italian Somaliland) followed suit five days later. On 1 July 1960, the two territories united to form the Somali Republic.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=26}} After independence, the Darawishta merged with the former British [[Somaliland Scouts]] to form the 5,000 strong Somali National Army. The new military's first commander was Colonel [[Daud Abdulle Hirsi]], a former officer in the British military administration's police force, the Somalia Gendarmerie.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=200}} Officers were trained in the United Kingdom, [[Egypt]] and Italy. Despite the social and economic benefits associated with military service, the armed forces began to suffer chronic manpower shortages only a few years after independence.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=206}}

Merging British and Italian Somaliland caused significant controversy. The distribution of power between the two regions and among the major clans in both areas was a bone of contention. In December 1961, a group of British-trained northern non-commissioned [[1961 revolt in Somalia|officers in Hargeisa revolted]] after southern officers took command of their units.<ref>Michael Walls and Steve Kibble, "Beyond Polarity: Negotiating a Hybrid State in Somaliland", Africa Spectrum, 2010.</ref> The rebellion was put down by other northern [[Noncommissioned officer]]s (NCOs), although dissatisfaction in the north lingered.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=27}} Adam notes that in the aftermath of this mutiny, first armed forces commander General [[Daud Abdulle Hirsi]] (Hawiye/Abgaal) placed the most senior northerner, Colonel Mohamed Haji Ainashe, as head of the army in the north.{{sfn|Robinson|2019b|p=424}}

By October 1962 British officials were reporting that there was a Northern Military Zone with its headquarters in Hargeisa, supervising two battalions in Hargisa and [[Burao]], while in the south, Army HQ in Mogadishu supervised four battalions, at Mogadishu, Beletweyne, Galkayo, and [[Baidoa]].{{sfn|Robinson|2019b|p=424-425}} These four battalions plus smaller units were to come under control of a planned Southern Military Zone.

The force was expanded and modernized after the rebellion with the assistance of [[Soviet]] and Cuban advisors. The [[Library of Congress]] wrote in the early 1990s that '[i]n 1962 the Soviet Union agreed to grant a US$32&nbsp;million loan to modernise the Somali army, and expand it to 14,000 personnel. Moscow later increased the amount to US$55&nbsp;million. The Soviet Union, seeking to counter United States influence in the Horn of Africa, made an unconditional loan' and set a 'generous twenty-year repayment schedule.'{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=208}} However other sources date the Somali-Soviet discussions to October 1963 or later, and discuss how the United States, West Germany, Great Britain, and Italy tried and failed to get Somalia to accept a Western counteroffer through 1962 and 1963.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Jeffrey Lefebvre|title=The United States, Ethiopia and the 1963 Somali–Soviet Arms Deal: Containment and the Balance of Power Dilemma in the Horn of Africa|journal=[[Journal of Modern African Studies]]|volume=36|number=4|date=December 1998|pages=632–33}}</ref>{{sfn|Mohamoud|2006|p=109}}

[[File:Somalia Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Somalia's [[Tomb of the Unknown Soldier]]]]
The army was tested in 1964 when the conflict with [[Ethiopian National Defence Forces|Ethiopia]] over the Somali-inhabited [[Ogaden]] erupted into warfare. On 16 June 1963, Somali guerrillas started an insurgency at Hodayo, in eastern Ethiopia, a watering place north of [[Werder, Ethiopia|Werder]], after Ethiopian Emperor [[Haile Selassie]] rejected their demand for self-government in the Ogaden. The Somali government initially refused to support the guerrilla forces, which eventually numbered about 3,000. However, in January 1964, after Ethiopia sent reinforcements to the Ogaden, Somali forces launched ground and air attacks across the border and started providing assistance to the guerrillas. The [[Ethiopian Air Force]] responded with punitive strikes across its southwestern frontier against [[Feerfeer]], northeast of [[Beledweyne]], and [[Galkayo]]. On 6 March 1964, [[Somalia]] and [[Ethiopia]] agreed to a cease-fire. At the end of the month, the two sides signed an accord in [[Khartoum]], [[Sudan]], agreeing to withdraw their troops from the border, cease hostile propaganda, and start peace negotiations. Somalia also terminated its support of the guerrillas.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=201}}

Soviet advisors, among them General [[Vasily Shakhnovich]], began to arrive in 1969. The Institute for Strategic Studies listed Somalia for the first time in its green-covered Military Balance 1970-71, estimating total armed forces at 12,000, of which 10,000 were in the Army and 1,750 in the Air Force.<ref>ISS Military Balance 1970-71, p.51.</ref> General Shakhnovich built a close relationship with Barre, and stayed until 1971. General [[Grigory Borisov]] ([[:ru:Борисов, Григорий Григорьевич]]) served in the same position in 1973–76, writing a book about his experiences.

During the power vacuum that followed the assassination of Somalia's second president, [[Abdirashid Ali Shermarke]], the military staged a coup d'état on 21 October 1969 (the day after Shermarke's funeral) and took over office.<ref>Mohamed Haji Ingiriis (2017) Who Assassinated the Somali President in October 1969? The Cold War, the Clan Connection, or the Coup d’État, African Security, 10:2, 131–154, DOI: 10.1080/19392206.2017.1305861</ref> [[Major General]] [[Mohamed Siad Barre]], who had succeeded Hersi as Chief of Army in 1965, was installed as President of the [[Supreme Revolutionary Council (Somalia)|Supreme Revolutionary Council]], the new junta of Somalia.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=36, 200}} The country was renamed the [[Somali Democratic Republic]].

In 1972, the National Security Court, headed by Admiral [[Mohamed Gelle Yusuf]], ordered the execution of Siad Barre's fellow coup instigators, Major General [[Mohamed Aynanshe Guleid]] (who had become the Vice President), Brigadier General [[Salaad Gabeyre Kediye]] and Lieutenant Colonel [[Abdulkadir Dheel]] Abdulle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOMALIA: From Finest to Failed State (PART III) |url=http://www.hiiraan.com/op4/2010/dec/17095/somalia_from_finest_to_failed_state_part_iii.aspx |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=www.hiiraan.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Kaplan wrote in 1976:{{sfn|Kaplan|1977|p=315}}
<blockquote>In mid-1976 the military command structure was simple and direct. Major General [[Mohammad Ali Samatar]] was not only commander of the National Army – and therefore commander of the organizationally subordinated navy and air force- but also secretary of state for defence and a vice president of SRC and thus a member of the major decision-making body of the government. Holding the two highest.. posts, he stood alone in the command structure between the army and President Siad, the head of state. When in July 1976 the SRC relinquished its power to the newly appointed SSRP, Samantar retained the portfolio of the Ministry of Defense. The country's real power appeared to be in the SSRP's Politburo, of which Samantar became a vice president. Before the military coup, command channels ran directly from the commander of the National Army to army sector commanders who exercised authority over military forces.. in the field, and [later] combat units had been reorganized along Soviet lines. There is no indication that either the chain of command to lower echelons or the organisation of combat units has changed significantly since the coup.</blockquote>

In July 1976, the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] estimated the army consisted of 22,000 personnel, 6 tank battalions, 9 mechanised infantry battalions, 5 infantry battalions, 2 commando battalions, and 11 artillery battalions (5 anti-aircraft).<ref>IISS Military Balance 1976–77, p.44</ref> Two hundred T-34 and 50 T-54/55 main battle tanks had been estimated to have been delivered. The IISS emphasised that 'spares are short and not all equipment is serviceable.' The U.S. Army ''Area Handbook for Somalia'', 1977 edition, agreed that the army comprised six tank and nine mechanised infantry battalions, but listed no infantry battalions, the two commando battalions, five field artillery, and five anti-aircraft battalions.{{sfn|Kaplan|1977|p=315}}

Three divisions ([[Division 21 (Somalia)|Division 21]], [[Division 54 (Somalia)|Division 54]], and [[Division 60 (Somalia)|Division 60]]) were formed, and later took part in the [[Ogaden War]]. There is evidence that the divisions were formed as early as 1970; [[Mohamud Muse Hersi]] has been listed by somaliaonline.com as commander of the 21st Division from 1970 to 1972,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/41100-Profile-of-new-leaders.Garad-Abdiqani-voices-his-support-Rep-of.-SOOL-SANAG-amp-CAYN |title=Profile of new leaders. Garad Abdiqani voices his support:Rep of. SOOL,SANAG& CAYN |website=Somalia online |access-date=19 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411202933/http://www.somaliaonline.com/community/showthread.php/41100-Profile-of-new-leaders.Garad-Abdiqani-voices-his-support-Rep-of.-SOOL-SANAG-amp-CAYN |archive-date=11 April 2013}}</ref> and [[Muse Hassan Sheikh Sayid Abdulle]] as commander [[26th Division (Somalia)|26th Division]] in 1970–71.

[[File:Damagedsomalitank.jgp.jpg|thumb|left|Somali engineers repair a captured Ethiopian [[T-34 tank|T-34/85 Model 1969 tank]] for use by the [[Western Somali Liberation Front]] in the Ogaden region, March 1978.]]
Under the leadership of General [[Abdullah Mohamed Fadil]], [[Abdullahi Ahmed Irro]] and other senior Somali military officials formulated a plan of attack for what was to become the [[Ogaden War]] in Ethiopia.<ref name="Ahmed">{{cite web |last=Ahmed III |first=Abdul |title=Brothers in Arms Part I |url=http://wardheernews.com/Articles_2011/Oct/29_Brothers_in_Army_abdul.pdf |publisher=WardheerNews |access-date=28 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503221634/http://www.wardheernews.com/Articles_2011/Oct/29_Brothers_in_Army_abdul.pdf |archive-date=3 May 2012}}</ref> This was part of a broader effort to unite all of the Somali-inhabited territories in the Horn region into a [[Greater Somalia]] (''Soomaaliweyn'').<ref name="Lewisofssn">{{cite journal |last=Lewis |first=I.M. |author2=The Royal African Society |title=The Ogaden and the Fragility of Somali Segmentary Nationalism |journal=African Affairs |date=October 1989 |volume=88 |issue=353 |pages=573–579 |jstor=723037 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.afraf.a098217 }}</ref> At the start of the offensive, the SNA consisted of 35,000 soldiers,<ref name="EthSom638">Gebru Tareke, "The Ethiopia-Somalia War", p. 638.</ref> and was vastly outnumbered by the Ethiopian forces. Somali national army troops seized the Godey Front on 24 July 1977, after [[Division 60 (Somalia)|Division 60]] defeated the Ethiopian [[4th Infantry Division (Ethiopia)|4th Infantry Division]].<ref name="Urban">{{cite journal |title=Soviet intervention and the Ogaden counter-offensive of 1978 |author=Urban, Mark |journal=The RUSI Journal |year=1983 |volume=128 |issue=2 |pages=42–46 |doi=10.1080/03071848308523524}}</ref> Godey's capture allowed the Somali side to consolidate its hold on the Ogaden, concentrate its forces, and advance further to other regions of Ethiopia.<ref name="Tareke2">Gebru Tareke, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/3876045 "From Lash to Red Star: The Pitfalls of Counter-Insurgency in Ethiopia, 1980–82", ''Journal of Modern African Studies''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305224928/http://www.jstor.org/stable/3876045 |date=5 March 2016 }}, 40 (2002), p. 471</ref> The invasion reached an abrupt end with the Soviet Union's sudden shift of support to Ethiopia, followed by almost the entire [[Communism|communist]] [[Second World]] siding with the latter. The Soviets halted supplies to Barre's regime and instead increased the distribution of aid, weapons, and training to Ethiopia's newly communist [[Derg]] regime. General [[Vasily Petrov (marshal)|Vasily Petrov]] was assigned to restructure the [[Ethiopian Army]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Lockyer |first=Adam |title=Opposing Foreign Intervention's Impact on the Course of Civil Wars: The Ethiopian-Ogaden Civil War, 1976–1980 |url=http://info.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Schools/Economics%20Politics%20and%20Tourism/APSA%202006/INTLREL/Lockyer,%20Adam.pdf |access-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203040124/http://info.newcastle.edu.au/Resources/Schools/Economics%20Politics%20and%20Tourism/APSA%202006/INTLREL/Lockyer,%20Adam.pdf |archive-date=3 February 2014}}</ref> The Soviets also brought in around 15,000 Cuban troops to assist the Ethiopian military. By 1978, the Somali forces were pushed out of most of the Ogaden, although it would take nearly three more years for the Ethiopian Army to gain full control of Godey.<ref name="Tareke2" />

During the war battalions were succeeded by brigades. "During the war the standard infantry and mechanized infantry unit became the brigade, [numbering] two to four battalions and having a total strength of 1,200 to 2,000."<ref>Nelson, Country Study 1982, 245.</ref> Also following the war, [[Abudwak]] became the base for [[Division 21 (Somalia)|Division 21]].<ref>[http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/irin_51399a.html IRIN Special Report on Central Somalia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204083116/http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Hornet/irin_51399a.html |date=4 December 2010 }}, 13 May 1999.</ref>

=== Decline and collapse, 1978–1991 ===
{{See also|Somali Civil War|Isaaq genocide|Somaliland War of Independence}}
The shift in support by the Soviet Union during the [[Ogaden War]] motivated the Barre regime to seek allies elsewhere. The need for a rethink was emphasized by a [[1978 Somali coup d'état attempt|failed coup d'état]] in 1978, which appears to have been poorly organised.<ref>See Mohamed Haji Ingiriis, ''The Suicidal State in Somalia,'' 2016.</ref> Barre and his advisors eventually settled on the Soviet Union's [[Cold War]] arch-rival, the United States, which had been courting the Somali government for some time. The U.S. eventually gave extensive military support. Following the war, Barre's government began arresting government and military officials under suspicion of participation in the 1978 coup attempt.<ref name=Ahmed /><ref name="Ararep">''ARR: Arab report and record'', (Economic Features, ltd.: 1978), p.602.</ref> Most of the people who had allegedly helped plot the putsch were summarily executed.<ref name="Npmc">New People Media Centre, ''New people'', Issues 94–105, (New People Media Centre: Comboni Missionaries, 2005).</ref> However, several officials managed to escape abroad where they formed the [[Somali Salvation Democratic Front]] (SSDF), the first of various dissident groups dedicated to ousting Barre's regime by force.{{sfn|Fitzgerald|2002|p=25}} Among these opposition movements were the [[Somali Patriotic Movement]] (SPM) and Somali Democratic Alliance (SDA), a [[Gadabuursi]] group which had been formed in the northwest to counter the [[Somali National Movement]] (SNM) [[Isaaq]] militia.<ref name="Ciisa-Salwe">{{cite book |last=Ciisa-Salwe |first=Cabdisalaam M. |title=The collapse of the Somali state: the impact of the colonial legacy |year=1996 |publisher=HAAN Publishing |isbn=978-1-874209-91-1 |page=104 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GxMOAQAAMAAJ |access-date=12 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415055142/http://www.google.com/books?id=GxMOAQAAMAAJ |archive-date=15 April 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
[[File:Ethiopian armored vehicles captured by the Somali army.jpg|thumb|Two captured Ethiopian BTR-60 armored personnel carriers that were disabled on the battlefields near Balambale and Guldogob in 1982.]]
The armed forces continued to expand after the Ogaden War. The army expanded to 96,000 in 1980, of which combat forces made up 60,000. Thereafter the army grew to 115,000 and eventually to 123,000 by 1984–85.{{sfn|Adam|1998|p=373}}<ref>Hussein M. Adam, the chapter author, cites interviews with Colonel Abdullahi Kahim, Toronto, 1 and 3 August 1992. Kahim served as director of finance and administration in the Ministry of Defence from 1977 to 1987.</ref>

In 1981 one of three corps/sector headquarters for the ground forces was situated at [[Hargeisa]] in the northwestern [[Woqooyi Galbeed]] region ([[26th Sector|Sector 26]]). Others were believed to be at [[Galkacyo]] in the north-central [[Mudug]] region and at [[Beledweyne]] in the south-central [[Hiiraan]] region. The ground forces included seven divisions. Allocated among the divisions were three mechanized infantry brigades, ten anti-aircraft battalions, and thirteen artillery battalions.{{sfn|Nelson|1981|page=248}} The classified supplements to the [[CIA World Factbook]] for the 1980s, released thirty years later, show that the CIA estimated that the force had grown to eleven divisions by January 1984, and twelve divisions by 1986.{{sfn|Robinson|2019b|p=427}}

In 1984, the government attempted to solve the manpower shortage problem by instituting obligatory military service.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=206}} Men of eighteen to forty years of age were to be conscripted for two years. Opposition to conscription and to the campaigns against guerrilla groups resulted in widespread evasion of military service. As a result, during the late 1980s the government normally met manpower requirements by impressing men into military service. This practice alienated an increasing number of Somalis, who wanted the government to negotiate a peaceful resolution of the conflicts that were slowly destroying Somali society.
[[File:Somali soldier 1983.jpg|thumb|upright|A Somali soldier with an [[AKM]] poses for a photograph during the multinational joint-service [[Exercise Bright Star]] '85.]]
However, as the 1980s wore on, Siad Barre increasingly used clanism as a political resource.{{sfn|Compagnon|1992|p=9}} Barre filled the key positions in the army and security forces with members of three [[Darod|Darood]] clans closely related to his own ''reer'': the [[Marehan]], [[Dhulbahante]], and [[Ogaden (clan)|Ogaden]] known as the [[MOD Alliance]] .{{sfn|Compagnon|1992|p=9}}{{sfn|AfricaConfidential|1986|p=1-2}} Adam says that '..As early as 1976, when Colonel Omar Mohamed Farah was asked to train and command a tank brigade stationed in Mogadishu, he found that out of about 540 soldiers, at least 500 were from the Marehan clan. The whole tank division was headed by a Marehan officer, Umar Haji Masala.'{{sfn|Adam|1998|p=383}}<ref>Adam cites interview with Colonel Farah.</ref> Compagnon wrote in 1992: "Colonels and generals were part of the president's personal patronage network; they had to remain loyal to him and his relatives, whether they had command or were temporarily in the cabinet."{{sfn|Compagnon|1992|p=9}} As a result, by 1990 many Somalis looked upon the armed forces as Siad Barre's personal army. This perception eventually destroyed the military's reputation as a national institution. The critical posts of commander of the 2nd Tank Brigade and 2nd Artillery Brigade in Mogadishu were both held by Marehan officers, as were the posts of commander of the three reserve brigades in Hargeisa in the north.{{sfn|AfricaConfidential|1986|p=1-2}}

By 1987 the U.S. [[Defense Intelligence Agency]] estimated the army was 40,000 strong (with Ethiopian army strength estimated at the same time as 260,000).<ref name=DIA1987>{{cite web|author=Defense Intelligence Agency|title=Military Intelligence Summary, Vol IV, Part III, Africa South of the Sahara|url=https://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FOIA-Reading-Room-Africa/FileId/39704/|date=November 1987|page=12}}</ref> The President, Mohamed Siad Barre, held the rank of Major General and acted as Minister of Defence. There were three vice-ministers of national defence. From the SNA headquarters in Mogadishu four sectors were directed: [[26th Sector|Sector 26]] at [[Hargeisa]], [[Sector 54]] at [[Garowe]], [[Sector 21]] at [[Dusa Mareb]], and [[Division 60 (Somalia)|Sector 60]] at [[Baidoa]]. Thirteen divisions, averaging 3,300 strong, were divided between the four sectors – four in the northernmost and three in each of the other sectors. The sectors were under the command of brigadiers (three) and a colonel (one). [[Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan]] has been reported as 26th Sector commander from 1986 to 1988. Barre's son, [[Maslah Mohammed Siad Barre]] was commanding the 77th Sector in Mogadishu in November 1987,{{sfn|Clarke|1992|p=27}} and later became Chief of Staff (also reported as Commander-in-Chief) of the Army.<ref>Samuel M. Makinda, 'Clan Conflict and Factionalism in Somalia,' in Paul B. Rich, ''Warlords in International Relations'' Springer, 2016, 127.</ref> Maslah may have become Commander-in-Chief in early March 1989.<ref>Samuel M. Makinda, 'Clan Conflict and Factionalism in Somalia,' in Paul B. Rich, ''Warlords in International Relations,'' Springer, 2016, 127; ''The Suicidal State in Somalia: The Rise and Fall of the Siad Barre Regime,'' By Mohamed Haji Ingiriis, p328.</ref>

Military exercises between the United States and the Siad Barre regime continued during the 1980s. After Exercise Eastern Wind ’83, the [[Los Angeles Times]] was told that "the exercise failed dismally.…The Somali army did not perform up to any standard," one diplomat said. … "The inefficiency of the Somali armed forces is legendary among foreign military men."<ref>{{cite web|last=Mitchell |first=Charles |title=U.S. Losing Interest in Military Bases in Somalia: Port, Airstrip No Longer Are Key Part of Plans for Gulf of Aden Emergency|agency=[[United Press International|UPI]]|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-03-17-mn-35349-story.html |date=17 March 1985|access-date=29 December 2021}}</ref>{{sfn|Robinson|2019b|p=426, 428–9}} 'Valiant Usher '86' took place during the U.S. [[Fiscal Year]] of 1986, but actually in late 1985, and the [[24th Marine Expeditionary Unit]] participated in Exercise Eastern Wind in August 1987 in the area of Geesalay (in the vicinity of [[Cape Guardafui]]).<ref>United States Marine Corps, [http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/Restoring%20Hope%20In%20Somalia%20with%20the%20Unified%20Task%20Force%201992-1993%20PCN%2019000413500_4.pdf Restoring Hope in Somalia with the Unified Task Force] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630033041/http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/Restoring%20Hope%20In%20Somalia%20with%20the%20Unified%20Task%20Force%201992-1993%20PCN%2019000413500_4.pdf |date=30 June 2013 }}, 63.</ref>

By the mid-1980s, more resistance movements supported by Ethiopia's [[Derg]] administration had sprung up across the country. Barre responded by ordering punitive destruction, especially in the heavily [[Issaq]] northern regions. The northwestern administrative center of [[Hargeisa]], a [[Somali National Movement]] (SNM) stronghold, was almost totally destroyed by bombing and artillery in 1988.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=154}} The Hargeisa war memorial today is a [[MiG]] fighter-bomber aircraft that those on the ground managed to shoot down during the attacks.

Compagnon writes that:{{sfn|Compagnon|1992|p=9}}
{{quote|From the summer of 1988 onwards, there was a combination of political repression against targeted clans and private use of violence by predatory units and individuals of the former 'national' armed forces – already in the process of disintegration – who used their power to rape, kill, and loot freely. The ..distinction between private illegitimate violence and public coercion disappeared. Many former military men later joined the clan militias or the armed gangs.}}

Kapteijns writes:<ref>Lidwien Kapteijns, Clan Cleansing in Somalia: The Ruinous Legacy of 1991 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2012, 2013), 96, 253.</ref> 
{{quote|By June 1989, the SNM was again mounting attacks on the major centers [in the north], cutting off transport routes and interfering with government supplies to its garrisons. Gradually, the government lost control of anything but the major towns and, by the end of December 1989, even these were besieged by the SNM.}}

U.S. Army elements conducted training with the Somali 31st Commando Brigade at [[Baledogle Airfield]] outside Mogadishu in 1989.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/213227-bring-backs-from-somalia-deployment/ |title=Bring-Backs From Somalia Deployment – SPOILS OF WAR |website=usmilitariaforum.com |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809153238/http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?%2Ftopic%2F213227-bring-backs-from-somalia-deployment%2F |archive-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
| image1 = Somali troops.jpg
| image2 = Somalian armed forces band in 1983.JPEG
| footer = Somali troops (left) and Somali military band (right) passing in review during a ceremony of Exercise Eastern Wind '83, the amphibious landing phase of [[Exercise Bright Star]] '83.
}}
[[File:Radar installation operated by Somalian troops.JPEG|thumb|right|An aerial view of a radar installation operated by Somali troops at [[Berbera Airport]]. A [[Russian air surveillance radars|Soviet-made]] [[P-12 radar|P-12]] [[early-warning radar]] is visible at bottom center. The photo was taken during Exercise Eastern Wind '83, the amphibious landing phase of [[Exercise Bright Star]] '83.]]
As of 1 June 1989, the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] estimated that the Army comprised four corps and 12 division headquarters.{{sfn|IISS|1989|p=113}} The IISS noted that these formations 'were in name only; below establishment in units, men, and equipment. Brigades were of battalion size.'{{sfn|IISS|1989|p=113}} In 1989-90 six military sectors , twelve divisions, four tank brigades, 45 mechanized and infantry brigades, 4 [[commando]] brigades, one surface-to-air missile brigade, three field artillery brigades, 30 field battalions [''sic'': probably field artillery battalions], and one air defence artillery battalion were listed.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=204-5}} The armed forces declined in size from a possible high of 65,000 in early 1990 to about 10,000 later that year, due to desertions and battlefield defeats.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=196}}

On 12–13 November 1989, a group of Hawiye officers and men belonging to the 4th Division at [[Galkayo]], in [[Mudug]], mutinied. General Barre's son, Maslah, led a force of Marehan clansmen to suppress the mutiny. Punishment was meted out to local Hawiye villages.{{sfn|Clarke|1992|p=29}} In mid-November 1989, rebel forces briefly captured Galkayo. They reportedly seized significant quantities of military equipment at the 4th Division Headquarters, including tanks, 30 mobile anti-aircraft guns and rocket launchers. However, the rebels were unable to take most of this equipment so they incinerated it. Government forces thereafter launched massive reprisals against civilians within the 21st, 54th, [[Division 60 (Somalia)|60th]] and 77th military sectors. The impacted towns and villages included Gowlalo, Dagaari, [[Sadeh Higlo]], [[Banderadley]], Galinsor, Wargalo, Do'ol, Halimo, Go'ondalay and Galkayo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/pdfs/s/somalia/somalia909.pdf |title=Human Rights Watch |publisher=Human Rights Watch |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317223515/https://www.hrw.org/reports/pdfs/s/somalia/somalia909.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

By mid-1990, USC insurgents had captured most of the towns and villages surrounding Mogadishu.{{sfn|Adam|1998|p=389}} On 8 November 1990, USC forces launched attack on the government garrison at Bulo-Burte, killing the commander. From 30 December 1990, there was a major upsurge in local violence in Mogadishu, and continuous fighting between government troops and USC insurgents. The next four weeks were marked by increasing rebel gains. On 27 January 1991, Siad Barre fled the capital for [[Kismayo]], along with many of his supporters.{{sfn|Clarke|1992|p=32}} This marked the culmination of the first phase of the [[Somali Civil War|civil war]]. 
By this time the Armed Forces had dissolved, split into clan factions. On 23 January 1992, the UN Security Council imposed an [[arms embargo]] via [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 733]] to stop the flow of weapons to feuding militia groups.{{sfn|Clarke|1992|p=34}} Much military equipment was left ''in situ'', deteriorating, and was sometimes discovered and photographed by intervention forces in the early 1990s.

In May 2019, the ''[[New York Times]]'' reported that a former commander of the SNA's Fifth Brigade in northern Somalia had been found responsible for torture during the 1980s by a U.S. jury.<ref>{{cite news|title= 	Ex-Lyft and Uber Driver in Virginia Was Responsible for Torture in Somalia in '80s, Jury Finds |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/24/us/yusuf-abdi-ali-uber-lyft.html|date=24 May 2019|last1=Hauser |first1=Christine }}</ref>

The [[United Nations]] became engaged in Somalia from early in 1991. UN personnel were withdrawn on several occasions during sporadic flare-ups of violence. A series of [[Security Council]] resolutions (733, 746) and diplomatic visits eventually helped impose a ceasefire between the two key factions, signed at the end of March 1992. 

The [[United Nations Operation in Somalia I]] was established in April 1992 and ran until its duties were assumed by the [[Unified Task Force]] (UNITAF) mission in December 1992. Following the dissolution of UNITAF in May 1993, the subsequent UN mission in Somalia was known as [[United Nations Operation in Somalia II]] (UNOSOM II).

Some of the militias that were then competing for power saw UNOSOM II's presence as a threat. Gun battles took place in Mogadishu between the warring factions and UN peacekeepers. Among these was the [[Battle of Mogadishu (1993)|Battle of Mogadishu]] in October 1993, part of an unsuccessful operation by U.S. troops to apprehend [[Somali National Alliance]] faction leader [[Mohamed Farrah Aidid]]. UN soldiers eventually withdrew altogether from the country on March 3, 1995, having incurred more significant casualties.<ref>See also Report of the Secretary-General on Somalia, S/1995/231 (March 28, 1995).</ref>

After UNOSOM II's departure in March 1995, military clashes between local factions became shorter, generally less intense, and more localized. This was in part due to the large-scale UN military intervention that had helped to curb the intense fighting between the major factions, who then began to focus on consolidating gains that they had made. The local peace and reconciliation initiatives that had been undertaken in the south-central part of the country between 1993 and 1995 also generally had a positive impact.<ref name="Interpeace613">Interpeace, '[http://www.interpeace.org/publications/somali-region/60-a-history-of-mediation-in-somalia-since-1988-english/file The search for peace: A history of mediation in Somalia since 1988],' Interpeace, May 2009, 13–14. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222044942/http://www.interpeace.org/publications/somali-region/60-a-history-of-mediation-in-somalia-since-1988-english/file |date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref>

=== Twenty-first century ===
{{See also|Somalia War (2006–2009)|Somali Civil War (2009–present)}}
The [[Transitional National Government of Somalia]] (TNG) was established in April–May 2000 at a peace conference held in [[Arta, Djibouti|Arta]], [[Djibouti]]. It was militarily and politically opposed by the [[Somalia Reconciliation and Restoration Council]], which was formed by faction leaders including [[Hussein Mohamed Farrah Aidid]] and [[Mohamed Dhere]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Central Intelligence Agency|title=Somalia|work=The World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|location=Langley, Virginia|year=2014|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/somalia/|access-date=April 8, 2014}}</ref> The TNG technically had all of the organs of a sovereign state, including executive and judicial structures as well as a standing army.<ref>"Somalia: Sovereign Disguise for a Mogadishu Mafia," Andre Le Sage, Review of African Political Economy, Vol. 29, No. 91, (March 2002), pp. 132-138</ref> But it was very weak; clan ties remained much more important than formal government structures.

It was reported on 7 November 2001, that TNG forces had seized control of [[Merca|Marka]] in [[Lower Shabelle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/28116/somalia-government-military-takes-control-of-marka |title=Government military takes control of Marka |date=7 November 2001 |agency=IRIN |access-date=4 April 2018}}</ref>
From 2002, [[Ismail Qasim Naji]] served as the TNG military chief.<ref name=LIVES-OF-18-AMERICAN-SOLDIERS-NOT-BETTER-THAN-THOUSANDS-OF-SOMALI-LIVES>{{cite web |title=The Lives of 18 American Soldiers Are Not Better Than Thousands of Somali Lives They Killed, Somalia's TNG Prime Minister Col. Hassan Abshir Farah says |url=http://www.somaliawatch.org/archivedec01/020122101.htm |date=22 January 2002 |access-date=17 January 2007 |publisher=[[Somalia Watch]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070103000012/http://somaliawatch.org/archivedec01/020122101.htm |archive-date=3 January 2007}}</ref> He was given the rank of Major General. The TNG's new army, made up of 90 women and 2,010 men, was equipped on 21 March 2002 with guns and armed wagons surrendered to the TNG by private parties in exchange for money, according to TNG officials. TNG president [[Abdulkassim Salat Hassan]] instructed the recruits to use the weaponry to "pacify Mogadishu and other parts of Somalia by fighting bandits, anarchists and all forces that operate for survival outside the law." But the TNG controlled only one part of Mogadishu; rival warlords controlled the remainder.<ref>Dan Connell, Middle East Report, "War Clouds Over Somalia," 22 March 2002, at http://www.merip.org/mero/mero032202 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103351/http://www.merip.org/mero/mero032202 |date=22 December 2015 }}</ref> Some TNG weapons were stolen and looted in late 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://somalilandtimes.net/Archive/43/4300.htm |title=somalilandtimes.net |website=somalilandtimes.net |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128104745/http://somalilandtimes.net/Archive/43/4300.htm |archive-date=28 November 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> 

Eventually the leadership of the SRRC and the TNG were reconciled, and the [[Transitional Federal Government]] (TFG) was formed in 2004 by Somali politicians in Nairobi. [[Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed]] from Puntland was elected as President.<ref name="Abapd">{{cite web |title=Background and Political Developments |url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/auc/departments/psc/amisom/AMISOM_Background.htm |publisher=AMISOM |access-date=11 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821014130/http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/auc/departments/psc/amisom/AMISOM_Background.htm |archive-date=21 August 2011}}</ref><ref name="Afacis">{{cite web |last=Wezeman |first=Pieter D. |title=Arms flows and conflict in Somalia |url=http://books.sipri.org/files/misc/SIPRIBP1010b.pdf |publisher=SIPRI |access-date=10 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602122802/http://books.sipri.org/files/misc/SIPRIBP1010b.pdf |archive-date=2 June 2013}}</ref> The TFG later moved its temporary headquarters to Baidoa.<ref name="Abapd" /> President Yusuf requested that the African Union deploy in Somalia. Yusuf brought south his own militia from Puntland after fruitless appeals for military forces from the African Union. Along with the U.S. funding the [[ARPCT]] coalition, this alarmed many in south-central Somalia, and recruits flocked to the ascendant [[Islamic Courts Union]] (ICU).<ref name="Tsfp6061">Interpeace, '[http://www.interpeace.org/publications/somali-region/60-a-history-of-mediation-in-somalia-since-1988-english/file The search for peace: A history of mediation in Somalia since 1988] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222044942/http://www.interpeace.org/publications/somali-region/60-a-history-of-mediation-in-somalia-since-1988-english/file |date=22 February 2014 }},' Interpeace, May 2009, 60–61.</ref>

A battle for Mogadishu followed in the first half of 2006 in which the ARPCT confronted the ICU.<ref name="Eios">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/153/26334.html |title=Ethiopian Invasion of Somalia |publisher=Globalpolicy.org |date=14 August 2007 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910145231/http://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/153/26334.html |archive-date=10 September 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> However, with local support, the ICU captured the city in June of the year. It then expanded its area of control in south-central Somalia over the following months, assisted militarily by [[Eritrea]].<ref name="Tsfp6061" /> In an effort at reconciliation, TFG and ICU representatives held several rounds of talks in [[Khartoum]] under the auspices of the [[Arab League]]. The two parties would not compromise and the meetings ended unsuccessfully.<ref name="Abapd" /> Hardline Islamists subsequently gained power within the ICU, prompting fears of a Talibanization of the movement.<ref>Ken Menkhaus, '[http://ipss-addis.moodle-kurse.de/file.php/2/Reading_Materials_Module_3_Block_1_/Fragile_States_and_Insecure_People_2007.pdf#page=73 Local Security Systems in Somali East Africa] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222200912/http://ipss-addis.moodle-kurse.de/file.php/2/Reading_Materials_Module_3_Block_1_/Fragile_States_and_Insecure_People_2007.pdf |date=22 February 2014 }},' in Andersen/Moller/Stepputat (eds.), Fragile States and Insecure People,' Palgrave, 2007, 67.</ref>

In December 2006, [[Ethiopian National Defense Force|Ethiopian troops]] entered Somalia to assist the TFG against the advancing Islamic Courts Union, initially winning the [[Battle of Baidoa]].<ref name="2009factbook">{{cite web |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |title=Somalia |location=Langley, Virginia |year=2011 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/somalia/ |access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> On 28 December 2006, Ethiopian forces [[Fall of Mogadishu|recaptured the capital]] from the ICU.<ref name="Psnrpaya">{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/29/content_10577078.htm |title=Profile: Somali's newly resigned President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=29 December 2008 |access-date=5 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115142305/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/29/content_10577078.htm |archive-date=15 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The offensive helped the TFG solidify its rule.<ref name="Eios" /> Ethiopian and TFG forces [[2007 Battle of Ras Kamboni|forced the ICU from Ras Kamboni]] between 7–12 January 2007. They were assisted by at least two U.S. air strikes.{{sfn|ICG|2008|p=26}} On 8 January 2007, for the first time since taking office, President Ahmed entered Mogadishu from Baidoa, as the TFG moved its base to the national capital.<ref name="Vspicfc">{{cite news |last=Majtenyi |first=Cathy |title=Somali President in Capital for Consultations |url=http://www.51voa.com/VOA_Standard_English/VOA_Standard_9474.html |access-date=17 February 2014 |newspaper=VOA |date=8 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105061226/http://www.51voa.com/VOA_Standard_English/VOA_Standard_9474.html |archive-date=5 November 2013 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> President Ahmed brought his [[Puntland]] army chief with him, and [[Abdullahi Ali Omar]] became Somali chief of army on 10 February 2007.<ref name="Ssacsanaaa">{{cite web |url=http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne2279.htm |title=Somalia's army commander sacked as new ambassadors are appointed |publisher=Shabelle Media Network |date=10 April 2007 |access-date=9 November 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114173103/http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne2279.htm |archive-date=14 November 2007}}</ref>

On 20 January 2007, through [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 1744]], the [[African Union Mission in Somalia]] (AMISOM) was formally authorised.{{sfn|Williams|2009|p=516}} Seven hundred Ugandan troops, earmarked for AMISOM, were landed at Mogadishu airport on 7–8 March 2007.<ref>[http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200703/08/eng20070308_355350.html More Ugandan troops arrive in Mogadishu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020145034/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200703/08/eng20070308_355350.html |date=20 October 2012 }}, [[Xinhua News Agency]] via [[People's Daily]] Online, 8 March 2007.</ref>

In Mogadishu, [[Hawiye]] residents resented the Islamic Courts Union's defeat.<ref name="Gpvisaff">{{cite news |title=Power vacuum in Somalia as factions fight |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Power_vacuum_in_Somalia_as_factions_fight_gazette.shtml |access-date=11 February 2014 |newspaper=Garowe Online |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224055138/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Power_vacuum_in_Somalia_as_factions_fight_gazette.shtml |archive-date=24 February 2014}}</ref> They distrusted the TFG, which was at the time dominated by the [[Darod]] clan, believing that it was dedicated to the advancement of Darod interests in lieu of the Hawiye. Additionally, they feared reprisals for massacres committed in 1991 in Mogadishu by Hawiye militants against Darod civilians, and were dismayed by Ethiopian involvement.<ref name="McGregor">{{cite journal |last=McGregor |first=Andrew |title=The Leading Factions Behind the Somali Insurgency |journal=Terrorism Monitor |date=26 April 2007 |volume=V |issue=8 |pages=1–4 |url=https://jamestown.org/program/the-leading-factions-behind-the-somali-insurgency/ }}</ref> Critics of the TFG likewise charged that its federalist platform was part of a plot by the Ethiopian government to keep Somalia weak and divided.<ref name="Mswww">{{cite journal |last=Menkhaus |first=Ken |title=Somalia: What Went Wrong? |journal=The RUSI Journal |volume=154 |issue=4 |pages=6–12 |doi=10.1080/03071840903216395 |year=2009 |s2cid=219626653 |doi-access=free }}</ref> During its first few months in the capital, the TFG was initially restricted to key strategic points, with the large northwestern and western suburbs controlled by Hawiye rebels.<ref>Cedric Barnes, and Harun Hassan, "[http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Africa/bpsomalia0407.pdf The rise and fall of Mogadishu's Islamic Courts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012045739/http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/Research/Africa/bpsomalia0407.pdf |date=12 October 2013 }}." Journal of Eastern African Studies 1, no. 2 (2007), 158.</ref> In March 2007, President Ahmed announced plans to forcibly disarm militias in the city.<ref name="McGregor" /> Extremist elements of the ICU, including [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]] then launched a wave of attacks against the TFG and Ethiopian troops.<ref name="Iscfc">{{cite web |title=Somalia comes full circle |url=http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail/?ots783=4888caa0-b3db-1461-98b9-e20e7b9c13d4&lng=en&id=53694 |publisher=ISA |access-date=11 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222142455/http://www.isn.ethz.ch/Digital-Library/Articles/Detail/?ots783=4888caa0-b3db-1461-98b9-e20e7b9c13d4&lng=en&id=53694 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The allied forces in return mounted a heavy-handed response.<ref name="Cstnchst">{{cite web |last=Leggiere |first=Phil |title=Somalia: The Next Challenge – Homeland Security Today |url=http://www.enoughproject.org/news/somalia-next-challenge-homeland-security-today |publisher=Center for American Progress |access-date=18 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222133541/http://www.enoughproject.org/news/somalia-next-challenge-homeland-security-today |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref>

All of the warring parties were responsible for widespread violations of the laws of war, as civilians were caught in the ensuing crossfire. Insurgents reportedly deployed militants and established strongholds in heavily populated neighborhoods, launched mortar rounds from residential areas, and targeted public and private individuals for assassination and violence.<ref name="Iscfc" /> TFG forces were alleged to have failed to properly warn civilians in combat zones, impeded relief efforts, plundered property, committed murder and violence, and mistreated detainees during mass arrests.<ref name="Iscfc" />{{sfn|Human Rights Watch|2008}} Military, police and intelligence TFG personnel were implicated, as well as the private guards of senior TFG officials. Victims were often unable to identify TFG personnel, and confused militiamen aligned with TFG officials with TFG police officers and other state security personnel.{{sfn|Human Rights Watch|2008}}

In mid-2008 the TFG decided to participate in peace talks with the Djibouti faction of the Islamist [[Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia]] (ARS-D). An agreement was signed on 19 August 2008. The current armed forces trace their origins to the weak alliance between the two factions.{{sfn|Robinson|2016|p=242}}

In December 2008, the [[International Crisis Group]] reported:{{sfn|ICG|2008|p=22}}

<blockquote>Yusuf has built a largely subservient and loyal apparatus by putting his fellow Majerteen clansmen in strategic positions. The National Security Agency (NSA) under General [[Mohamed Warsame]] ("Darwish") and the so-called "Majerteen militia" units in the TFG army operate in parallel and often above other security agencies. Their exact number is hard to ascertain, but estimates suggest about 2,000.<ref>ICG footnote is 'Crisis Group interviews, Mogadishu, Baidoa, April 2008.'</ref> They are well catered for, well armed and often carry out counter-insurgency operations with little or no coordination with other security agencies. In the short term, this strategy may appear effective for the president, who can unilaterally employ the force essentially as he pleases. However, it undermines morale in the security services and is a cause of their high desertion rates.</blockquote>

Much of the problem building armed forces was the lack of functioning TFG government institutions:{{sfn|ICG|2008|p=43}}
 
<blockquote>Beyond the endemic internal power struggles, the TFG has faced far more serious problems in establishing its authority and rebuilding the structures of governance. Its writ has never extended much beyond Baidoa. Its control of Mogadishu is ever more contested, and it is largely under siege in the rest of the country. There are no properly functioning government institutions.</blockquote>

Also in December 2008, [[Human Rights Watch]] described the Somali National Army as the 'TFG's largely theoretical professional military force.' It said that 'where trained TFG military forces appear, 'they were identified by their victims as Ethiopian-trained forces, often acting in concert with ENDF ([[Ethiopian National Defense Force]]) forces or under the command of ENDF officers.'{{sfn|Human Rights Watch|2008}} HRW also said that 'Human Rights Watch's own research has uncovered a pattern of violent abuses by TFG forces including widespread acts of murder, rape, looting, assault, [[arbitrary arrest and detention]], and torture. Those responsible include police, military, and intelligence personnel as well as the personal militias of high-ranking TFG officials.'{{sfn|Human Rights Watch|2008}}
 
HRW went on to say: 'The TFG has deployed a confusing array of security forces and armed militias to act on its behalf. Victims of the widespread abuses in which these forces have been implicated often have trouble identifying whether their attackers were TFG police officers, other TFG security personnel, or militias linked to TFG officials. Furthermore, formal command-and-control structures are to a large degree illusory. TFG security forces often wear multiple hats, acting on orders from their formal superiors one day, as clan militias another day, and as autonomous self-interested armed groups the next.'{{sfn|Human Rights Watch|2008}}

In April 2009, donors at a UN-sponsored conference pledged over $250&nbsp;million to help improve security. The funds were earmarked for AMISOM and supporting Somalia's security, including the build-up of a security force of 6,000 members as well as an augmented police force of 10,000 men.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/dec/09/removed-news-agency-feed-article |title=Removed: news agency feed article |date=9 December 2015 |website=The Guardian |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403232148/https://www.theguardian.com/info/2015/dec/09/removed-news-agency-feed-article |archive-date=3 April 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In June 2009, the Somali military received 40 tonnes worth of [[Weapon|arms]] and [[ammunition]] from the U.S. government to assist it in combating the insurgency.<ref>Reuters, [https://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN2649445 US gives Somalia about 40 tons of arms, ammunition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629005034/http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN2649445 |date=29 June 2009 }}</ref>

In November 2009, the [[European Union]] announced its intention to train two Somali [[battalion]]s (around 2,000 troops), which would complement other training missions and bring the total number of better-trained Somali soldiers to 6,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSLH63347620091117 |title=EU to provide 100 troops for training Somali force |first=Reuters |last=Editorial |agency=Reuters |access-date=4 April 2018 |newspaper=Reuters |date=17 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121160048/http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSLH63347620091117 |archive-date=21 November 2009 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The two [[battalion]]s were expected to be ready by August 2011.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=6246 | title=Shabellle news media – Just another WordPress site | access-date=5 May 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723071756/http://shabelle.net/article.php?id=6246 | archive-date=23 July 2011 | url-status=usurped | df=dmy-all }}</ref> 

In November 2010, a new technocratic government was elected to office. In its first 50 days in office, the new administration completed its first monthly payment of stipends to government fighters.<ref name="Swscmos">{{cite web |url=http://www.somaliweyn.org/pages/news/Jan_11/15Jan18.html |title=Security Council Meeting on Somalia |publisher=Somaliweyn.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105060056/http://www.somaliweyn.org/pages/news/Jan_11/15Jan18.html |archive-date=5 January 2014}}</ref> It was the first of many Somali administrations to announce plans for a full biometric register for the security forces. While it aimed to complete the biometric register within four months, little further was reported. By August 2011, AMISOM and Somali forces had managed to capture all of Mogadishu from Al-Shabaab.<ref name="Asdilr">{{cite web |author=Independent Newspapers Online |url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/al-shabaab-dug-in-like-rats-1.1114585 |title=Al-Shabaab 'dug in like rats' |work=Independent Online |location=South Africa |date=10 August 2011 |access-date=15 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509052019/http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/al-shabaab-dug-in-like-rats-1.1114585 |archive-date=9 May 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Powerful vested interests and corrupt commanders were, as of February 2011, the largest obstacle to reforming the army. Some newly delivered weaponry was sold by officers. The [[International Crisis Group]] also said that AMISOM's efforts at assisting in formalizing the military's structure and providing training to the estimated 8,000 SNA were problematic. Resistance continued to the establishment of an effective chain of command, logical military formations and a credible troop roster. Although General [[Mohamed Gelle Kahiye]], the respected former army chief, attempted to instill reforms, he was marginalized and eventually dismissed.<ref>International Crisis Group, [http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/africa/horn-of-africa/somalia/170%20Somalia%20The%20Transitional%20Government%20on%20Life%20Support.pdf Somalia: The Transitional Government on Life Support] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923225157/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/africa/horn-of-africa/somalia/170%20Somalia%20The%20Transitional%20Government%20on%20Life%20Support.pdf |date=23 September 2015 }}, Africa Report 170, 20 February 2011, p.16</ref>

In August 2011, as part of the [[European Union Training Mission Somalia]] (EUTM Somalia), 900 Somali soldiers graduated from the Bihanga Military Training School in the [[Ibanda District]] of Uganda.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bar-kulan.com/2011/09/02/900-newly-trained-somali-soldiers-dispatched-from-ugandan-military-school/ |title=900 newly trained Somali soldiers dispatched from Ugandan military school |publisher=Bar-Kulan |date=2 September 2011 |access-date=3 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322161730/http://www.bar-kulan.com/2011/09/02/900-newly-trained-somali-soldiers-dispatched-from-ugandan-military-school/ |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref name="eutrainb" /> 150 personnel from the EU took part in the training process, which trained around 2,000 Somali troops per year.<ref name="eutrainb">{{cite news |url=http://hiiraan.com/news2/2011/Sept/special_forces_in_mogadishu.aspx |title=Special Forces in Mogadishu |publisher=Hiiraan Online |date=7 September 2011 |access-date=7 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322091735/http://hiiraan.com/news2/2011/Sept/special_forces_in_mogadishu.aspx |archive-date=22 March 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In May 2012, 603 Somali army personnel completed training at the facility. They were the third batch of Somali nationals to be trained there under the auspices of EUTM Somalia.<ref>IRIN News, 14 May 2012, via Africa Research Bulletin-PSC, 1–31 May 2012, p.19287C.</ref> In total, the EU mission had trained 3,600 Somali soldiers, before permanently transferring all of its advisory, mentoring and training activities to Mogadishu in December 2013.<ref name="Emtplis">{{cite news |title=EU military training programme launches in Somalia |url=http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2014/02/26/newsbrief-04 |agency=Sabahi |date=26 February 2014 |access-date=21 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302195752/http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2014/02/26/newsbrief-04 |archive-date=2 March 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In October 2011, following a weekend preparatory meeting between Somali and Kenyan military officials in the town of [[Dhobley (Lower Juba Region)|Dhobley]],<ref name="Npklois">{{cite web |url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/16/kenya-launches-offensive-in-somalia/ |title=Kenya launches offensive in Somalia |date=16 October 2011 |website=National Post |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129120704/http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/16/kenya-launches-offensive-in-somalia/ |archive-date=29 January 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> the [[Kenya Defence Forces]] launched an attack across the border against [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]], aiming for Kismayo.<ref name="Tssgskfm">{{cite web |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/agriculture/InsidePage.php?id=2000045933& |title=Somalia government supports Kenyan forces' mission |publisher=Standardmedia.co.ke |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314153558/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/agriculture/InsidePage.php?id=2000045933&cid=4& |archive-date=14 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="Jointc">{{Cite web |url=http://www.mfa.go.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=399:joint-communique&catid=35:news |title=Joint Communique – Operation Linda Nchi |access-date=8 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130172143/http://www.mfa.go.ke/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=399%3Ajoint-communique&catid=35%3Anews |archive-date=30 November 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> In early June 2012, Kenyan troops were formally integrated into AMISOM.<ref name="Gkdmaaaism">{{cite news |title=Kenya: Defense Minister appointed as acting Internal Security Minister |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Kenya_Defense_Minister_appointed_as_acting_Internal_Security_Minister.shtml |access-date=20 June 2012 |newspaper=Garowe Online |date=19 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121130165830/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Kenya_Defense_Minister_appointed_as_acting_Internal_Security_Minister.shtml |archive-date=30 November 2012}}</ref>

In January 2012, Somali government forces and their AMISOM allies launched offensives on Al-Shabaab's last foothold on the northern outskirts of Mogadishu.<ref name="Asefm">{{cite web |title=Al-Shabaab Evicted from Mogadishu |url=http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/2572 |publisher=Somalia Report |access-date=14 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222213444/http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/2572 |archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> The following month, Somali forces fighting alongside AMISOM seized Baidoa from the insurgent group.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8DMB7G20120222?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0 |title=Ethiopian forces capture key Somali rebel stronghold |work=Reuters |date=22 February 2012 |access-date=22 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407094043/http://af.reuters.com/article/somaliaNews/idAFL5E8DMB7G20120222?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> By June 2012, the allied forces had also captured El Bur,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/385696/1/ethiopian-troops-seize-main-rebel-town-in-central-.html |title=Ethiopian troops seize main rebel town in central Somalia |website=modernghana.com |access-date=4 April 2018 |date=26 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405152825/https://www.modernghana.com/news/385696/1/ethiopian-troops-seize-main-rebel-town-in-central-.html |archive-date=5 April 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Afgooye,<ref>{{cite news |title=Somali al-Shabab militant stronghold Afgoye 'captured' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18206856 |access-date=1 June 2012 |publisher=BBC |date=25 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528100808/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18206856 |archive-date=28 May 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> and Balad.<ref>{{cite news |title=Somali forces capture rebel stronghold |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iKD5l6zR7FZVn0CFZ_rXxVRl3rkQ?do |access-date=28 June 2012 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=27 June 2012  }}{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Progress by the Kenya Army from the border towards Kismayo was slow, but Afmadow was also reported captured on 1 June 2012.<ref>{{cite news |title=Somalia forces capture key al-Shabab town of Afmadow |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18288639 |access-date=1 June 2012 |publisher=BBC |date=31 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601035057/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18288639 |archive-date=1 June 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

=== Creation of Federal Government ===
The [[Federal Government of Somalia]] was established in August/September 2012. On 6 March 2013, [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 2093]] was passed. The resolution lifted the purchase ban on light weapons for a provisional period of one year, but retained restrictions on the procurement of heavy arms such as surface-to-air missiles and [[artillery]].<ref name="Aueoaefs">{{cite news |title=UN eases oldest arms embargo for Somalia |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/un-eases-oldest-arms-embargo-for-somalia/story-fn3dxix6-1226592031840 |access-date=6 March 2013 |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=6 March 2013}}</ref>

On 13 March 2013, [[Dahir Adan Elmi]] was appointed Chief of Army at a transfer ceremony in Mogadishu, where he replaced [[Abdulkadir Sheikh Dini]]. [[Abdirizak Khalif Elmi]] was appointed as Elmi's new Deputy Chief of Army.<ref>Shabelle.net, {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130317165824/http://shabelle.net/somalia-changes-its-top-military-commanders/ Somalia changes its top military commanders]}}</ref>

In August 2013, Federal Government of Somalia officials and [[Jubaland]] regional representatives signed an agreement in [[Addis Ababa]]. All Jubaland security personnel (principally the [[Ras Kamboni Brigades]]) would be integrated into the Somali National Army.<ref name="Sjgraibtie">{{cite news |title=Somalia: Jubaland gains recognition after intense bilateral talks in Ethiopia |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Jubaland_gains_recognition_after_intense_bilateral_talks_in_Ethiopia_printer.shtml |access-date=23 December 2014 |newspaper=Garowe Online |date=28 August 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012043444/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia_Jubaland_gains_recognition_after_intense_bilateral_talks_in_Ethiopia_printer.shtml |archive-date=12 October 2013}}</ref> This did not occur. No SNA force was established in the Juba Valley area until July 2015.{{sfn|Robinson|2016|page=245}}{{sfn|Robinson|2019|page=215}}

In November 2013, the [[United Nations Support Office for AMISOM]] (UNSOA) was directed to support the SNA. They were to better supply a force of 10,900 Somalis to participate in joint operations with AMISOM against al-Shabaab.<ref>{{cite web |title=Support to Somali National Army (SNA) |url=http://unsoa.unmissions.org/support-somali-national-army-sna |website=UNSOA |access-date=23 January 2016 |date=24 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203035000/http://unsoa.unmissions.org/support-somali-national-army-sna |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> SNA personnel would initially be trained by AMISOM. When specific UN requirements were passed, including Human Rights and Due Diligence training, approved SNA personnel would begin to receive food, shelter, fuel, water and medical support.<ref>{{cite web |title=Resolution 2124 |url=http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/doc/2124 |website=unscr.com |access-date=23 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Briefing to the UN Security Council by Ambassador Nicholas Kay, Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Somalia, 11 March 2014 |url=http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/briefing-un-security-council-ambassador-nicholas-kay-special-representative-secretary |website=ReliefWeb |access-date=23 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130120751/http://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/briefing-un-security-council-ambassador-nicholas-kay-special-representative-secretary |archive-date=30 January 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
[[File:DHAGAXTUUR MONUMENT MOGADISHU SOMALIA.jpg|thumb|Tomb of The Unknown Soldier (Flag hasn't been repainted) circa 2018]]
In February 2014, EUTM Somalia began its first "Train the Trainers" programme at the Jazeera Training Camp in Mogadishu. 60 Somali National Army soldiers that had been previously trained by EUTM in Uganda would take part in a four-week refresher course on infantry techniques and procedures, including international humanitarian law and military ethics. The training would be conducted by 16 EU trainers. Following the course's completion, the Somali soldiers would be qualified as instructors to then train SNA recruits, with mentoring provided by EUTM Somalia personnel.<ref name="Essitaim">{{cite web |title=EUTM Somalia starts its training activities in Mogadishu |url=http://eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2014/250214_eutm_somalia_en.htm |publisher=EUTM Somalia |access-date=21 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719065928/http://www.eeas.europa.eu/top_stories/2014/250214_eutm_somalia_en.htm |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> A team of EUTM Somalia advisors also started offering strategic advice to the Somali Ministry of Defence and General Staff. 

In early March 2014, Somali security forces and AMISOM troops launched another operation against Al-Shabaab.<ref name="Gsfgatcwa">{{cite news |title=Somalia: Federal Govt, AMISOM troops clash with Al Shabaab |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia-Federal-Govt-AMISOM-troops-clash-with-Al-Shabaab_printer.shtml |access-date=11 March 2014 |newspaper=Garowe Online |date=11 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311152532/http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/publish/Somalia_27/Somalia-Federal-Govt-AMISOM-troops-clash-with-Al-Shabaab_printer.shtml |archive-date=11 March 2014}}</ref> According to Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed, the government subsequently launched stabilization efforts in the newly liberated areas, which included [[Rab Dhuure]], [[Hudur]], [[Wajid, Somalia|Wajid]] and [[Burdhubo]]. However, there were continuing concerns that not enough was being done to revitalise and secure the newly liberated areas. By 26 March, ten towns within the month had been liberated, including [[Qoryoley]] and [[El Buur]].<ref name="Rstcqcftotlbahs">{{cite news |title=SOMALIA: The capture of Qoryooley is critical for the operations to liberate Barawe, Amisom head says |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/03/somalia-the-capture-of-qoryooley-is-critical-for-the-operations-to-liberate-baraawe-amisom-head-says/ |access-date=23 March 2014 |newspaper=Raxanreeb |date=22 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322224357/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/03/somalia-the-capture-of-qoryooley-is-critical-for-the-operations-to-liberate-baraawe-amisom-head-says/ |archive-date=22 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Rsetffsaaa">{{cite news |title=SOMALIA: Elbur town falls for Somali Army and Amisom |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/03/somalia-elbur-town-falls-for-somali-army-and-amisom/ |access-date=26 March 2014 |newspaper=Raxanreeb |date=26 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326180630/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/03/somalia-elbur-town-falls-for-somali-army-and-amisom/ |archive-date=26 March 2014}}</ref> UN Special Representative for Somalia [[Nicholas Kay]] described the military advance as the most significant and geographically extensive offensive since AU troops began operations in 2007.<ref name="Satcioksb">{{cite news |title=Somalia, AU troops close in on key Shebab base |url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140322/somalia-au-troops-close-key-shebab-base |access-date=23 March 2014 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=22 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323131259/http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140322/somalia-au-troops-close-key-shebab-base |archive-date=23 March 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In July 2014, the governments of the United States and France announced that they would start providing training to the SNA.<ref name="Uafattsna">{{cite news |title=US and France agrees to train Somali National army |url=http://buraannews.com/articles/2827/Somalia-Buraan-Radio-US-and-France-agrees-to-train-Somali-National-army |access-date=11 July 2014 |publisher=Buraan News |date=11 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714193256/http://buraannews.com/articles/2827/Somalia-Buraan-Radio-US-and-France-agrees-to-train-Somali-National-army |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> According to U.S. Defense Department officials, American military advisers are also stationed in Somalia.<ref name="Utscfa">{{cite news |last1=Dan Joseph |first1=Harun Maruf |title=US-Trained Somali Commandos Fight Al-Shabab |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-trained-somali-commandos-fight-against-al-shabab/1968832.html |access-date=1 August 2014 |agency=VOA |date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140803194827/http://www.voanews.com/content/us-trained-somali-commandos-fight-against-al-shabab/1968832.html |archive-date=3 August 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In August 2014, the Somali government launched [[Operation Indian Ocean]].<ref name="Spsgdncfmaep">{{cite news |title=SOMALIA: President says Godane is dead, now is the chance for the members of al-Shabaab to embrace peace |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/09/somalia-president-says-godane-is-dead-now-is-the-chance-for-the-members-of-al-shabaab-to-embrace-peace/ |access-date=6 September 2014 |agency=Raxanreeb |date=5 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906202740/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/09/somalia-president-says-godane-is-dead-now-is-the-chance-for-the-members-of-al-shabaab-to-embrace-peace/ |archive-date=6 September 2014}}</ref> On 1 September 2014, a U.S. drone strike killed Al-Shabaab leader [[Moktar Ali Zubeyr]].<ref name="Pcdostl">{{cite news |title=Pentagon Confirms Death of Somalia Terror Leader |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/292/pentagon-confirms-death-of-somalia-terror-leader |access-date=6 September 2014 |agency=Associated Press |date=5 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906202437/http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/292/pentagon-confirms-death-of-somalia-terror-leader |archive-date=6 September 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> U.S. authorities hailed the raid as a major symbolic and operational loss for Al-Shabaab, and the Somali government offered a 45-day amnesty to all moderate members of the militant group.<ref name="Ucdostgl">{{cite news |title=US confirms death of Somalia terror group leader |url=http://www.wsvn.com/story/26458182/pentagon-confirms-death-of-somalia-terror-leader |access-date=6 September 2014 |agency=Associated Press |date=5 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140906201659/http://www.wsvn.com/story/26458182/pentagon-confirms-death-of-somalia-terror-leader |archive-date=6 September 2014}}</ref>

In September 2014, 20 Somali federal soldiers began training courses in Djibouti.<ref name="Gdttfgf">{{cite news |title=Djibouti to train federal government forces |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=4018 |access-date=23 December 2014 |newspaper=Goobjoog |date=17 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224182530/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=4018 |archive-date=24 December 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

In October 2014, Federal Government officials signed an agreement with Puntland, which said that the Federal and Puntland authorities would work to form an integrated national army.<ref name="Spcdwfg">{{cite news |title=Somalia: Puntland clinches deal with Federal Govt |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/610/somalia-puntland-clinches-deal-with-federal-govt |access-date=23 December 2014 |agency=Garowe Online |date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210200452/http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/610/somalia-puntland-clinches-deal-with-federal-govt |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In April 2015, another bilateral treaty stipulated that Puntland would contribute 3,000 troops to the Somali National Army.<ref name="Sptctstnaads">{{cite news |title=Somalia: Puntland to contribute 3000 soldiers to Nat'l Army, another deal signed |url=http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/2282/somalia-puntland-to-contribute-3000-soldiers-to-natl-army-another-deal-signed |access-date=13 April 2015 |agency=Garowe Online |date=12 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811104204/http://www.garoweonline.com/page/show/post/2282/somalia-puntland-to-contribute-3000-soldiers-to-natl-army-another-deal-signed |archive-date=11 August 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> This did not occur, and FGS forces and Puntland forces remain separate.

In March 2015, the [[Cabinet of Somalia|Federal Cabinet]] agreed to establish a new commission to nationalize and integrate security forces.<ref name="Scmafmctwt">{{cite news |title=Somali Cabinet Ministers agree financial management committee to work temporarily |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=11985 |access-date=30 March 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=19 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111223/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=11985 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In April 2015, the Commission on Regional Militia Integration presented its plan for the formal integration of regional forces.<ref name="Urotsgosmtf" />

In 2016 ''[[The Economist]]'' reported that the SNA did not exist as a cohesive force due to high rates of desertions and many soldiers being primarily loyal to clan leaders rather than the government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Most-failed state |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21706522-twenty-five-years-chaos-horn-africa-most-failed-state |access-date=14 September 2016 |newspaper=The Economist |date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914035422/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21706522-twenty-five-years-chaos-horn-africa-most-failed-state |archive-date=14 September 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

== Somali National Army from 2008 ==
=== Training and facilities ===
[[File:Dhraelm1.jpg|thumb|right|Then Brigadier General [[Dahir Adan Elmi]], Chief of Defence Force, while meeting with Commander, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa in 2013]]
[[File:2016 04 12 SNA Anniversary-6 (26363205326).jpg|thumb|right|SNAF Parade on Somali Armed Forces day in 2016]]

In September 2011, President [[Sharif Sheikh Ahmed]] laid the foundation for a new military camp in the Jazeera District of Mogadishu. The $3.2&nbsp;million construction project was funded by the EU and was expected to take six months to complete.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1581/President_Sharif_Opens_Military_Camp_in_Capital |title=President Sharif Opens Military Camp in Capital |publisher=SomaliaReport |date=16 September 2011 |access-date=16 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004145831/http://www.somaliareport.com/index.php/post/1581/President_Sharif_Opens_Military_Camp_in_Capital |archive-date=4 October 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

In June 2013, Egyptian engineers arrived to build new headquarters for the Somalia Ministry of Defence.<ref name="Ethrsmod">{{cite news |title=Egypt to help re-build Somali Ministry of Defence |url=http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2013/06/05/newsbrief-06 |access-date=20 June 2014 |agency=Sabahi |date=5 June 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214231416/http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2013/06/05/newsbrief-06 |archive-date=14 December 2014}}</ref>

In February 2014, it was announced that Somalia had held military training inside the country for the first time (since the late 1980s).<ref name="Ssnacrawtt">{{cite news |title=Somali National Army commander: Reviving army will take time |url=http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/features/2014/02/20/feature-01 |access-date=14 June 2014 |agency=Sabahi |date=20 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140515002225/http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/features/2014/02/20/feature-01 |archive-date=15 May 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Chief of Staff Brigadier General Elmi said that there were "some hospitals that have a special agreement with the government where the injured soldiers are admitted, but there is no hospital that is strictly for the armed forces. There is a hospital that used to belong to the military, but it needs funding to operate."

In May 2015, President [[Hassan Sheikh Mohamud]] officially opened a new training camp in Mogadishu. Construction began in 2014 in conjunction with the government of the [[United Arab Emirates]]. Situated in the Hodan district, it was one of several new military training sites in the country.<ref name="Gsoonmtcim">{{cite news |title=Somali president officially opens new military training centre in Mogadishu |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=13830 |access-date=13 May 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=12 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150530233047/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=13830 |archive-date=30 May 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

=== Strength and units ===
In April 2011, 1,000 recruits completed training in [[Uganda]] as a part of the agreement with the EU<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sunatimes.com/view.php?id=970 |title=Sunatimes.com – East Africa Investigative Media |website=sunatimes.com |access-date=4 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090333/http://sunatimes.com/view.php?id=970 |archive-date=19 February 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> destined for the newly forming Brigades 4, [[Brigade 5 (Somalia)|Brigade 5]] and [[Brigade 6 (Somalia)|Brigade 6]]. With a post-training drop-out rate of around 10%, the vast majority of the EUTM trainees continued to serve in the SNA after their period abroad.{{sfn|Nilsson|Norberg|2014}} Brigades 5 and 6 have fought against Al-Shabaab including in Mogadishu and [[Afgoye]].<ref>[http://allafrica.com/stories/201406100182.html Somalia: Rival Soldiers in Deadly Battle Again As PM Calls for Calm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501045606/http://allafrica.com/stories/201406100182.html |date=1 May 2015 }}, http://allafrica.com/stories/201406100182.html/Garoweonline.com{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, 9 June 2014.</ref> 

In 2013, divisions, effectively serving as area commands, began to be reformed: initially [[Division 60 (Somalia)|Division 60]] at Baidoa (1 July 2013), later joined by [[Division 21 (Somalia)|Division 21]] at [[Dhusamareb]] (30 August 2013).{{sfn|Robinson|2019|p=216-217}} In the Kismayo/Jubaland area, after [[Ahmed Madobe]] had established himself, commanders from the Mogadishu area were somewhat isolated by differing clan connections. Yet they were technically heads of SNA [[Division 43 (Somalia)]]: in reality more of a "paper" area command than a division. Then on 27 July 2015 a swearing in ceremony took place for 1,517 new SNA fighters from Lower Juba and Kismayo, and they formed multi-clan battalions.{{sfn|Robinson|2019|p=215}} Very little support or even no support was provided to this group, located at the old Kismayo Airport, in the twelve months to February 2016. By January 2016 it appeared that up to 500 had drifted away, dropping out of the integration process.

Also established by 2014 was [[Division "12 April" (Somalia)|Division "12 April"]], supervising Somali troops in the areas of [[AMISOM]] Sectors 1 and 5 around Mogadishu.{{sfn|Williams|2018|p=205}} In March 2013 there were technically six [[brigade]]s around Mogadishu,<ref name="Haisaunplae">{{cite news |last=Kwayera |first=Juma |title=Hope alive in Somalia as UN partially lifts arms embargo |url=http://www.kenyacentral.com/news/73041-kenya-hope-alive-in-somalia-as-un-partially-lifts-arms-embargo.html |access-date=14 March 2013 |newspaper=Standard Digital |date=9 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714140959/http://www.kenyacentral.com/news/73041-kenya-hope-alive-in-somalia-as-un-partially-lifts-arms-embargo.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but their motivation to fight al-Shabaab in an organised fashion, as opposed to operating as clan militia, was doubtful. The six brigades were as of July 2013 largely composed of officers from various Hawiye sub-clans, with some [[Marehan]]-[[Darod]] and minorities also present. Five brigades primarily consisted of [[Abgaal]], [[Murosade]] and [[Hawadle]] soldiers. [[Brigade 3 (Somalia)|Brigade 3]] over the same period comprised 840 fighters, most of whom belong to the [[Hawiye]]-[[Habar Gidir]]/Ayr clan. The brigade was around 30% to 50% smaller in size than the other five brigades in the wider Mogadishu area. Led by General Mohamed Roble Jimale 'Gobale,' it occupied areas in [[Lower Shabelle]], including Merka, and along the Afgoye corridor. The UN Monitoring Group reported that many Brigade 3 fighters had been drawn from militias controlled by [[Yusuf Mohamed Siyaad 'Indha Adde']], a close associate of Jimale and the former Eritrean-backed chief of defence for the [[Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia]]-Asmara.<ref name="SEMG440">{{cite web|url=http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2013_440.pdf|title=Report S/2013/440 of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea pursuant to Security Council resolution 2060 (2012): Eritrea|publisher=UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea|access-date=26 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323050102/http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/s_2013_440.pdf|archive-date=23 March 2014|url-status=live}}, page 19, para. 50–51 & footnote 44. For Gobale, see S/2013/413 and S/2016/919.</ref> Gobale was killed in a suspected Al-Shabaab attack on 18 September 2016. Brigade 3's primary focus became "the domination of the valuable riverine land and its businesses for financial gain. In the process, the local people, often from minority clans such as the Biimaal, were constantly oppressed, with numerous atrocities committed," including arbitrary torture of civilians.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Colin D Robinson |author2=Jahara Matisek |date=2020|title=Assistance to Locally Appropriate Military Forces in Southern Somalia|journal=The RUSI Journal|volume=165|number=4|page=73}}</ref>

In Hiraan by mid-2014 Brigade 10 was active, centred on Beledweyne and made up mostly of the [[Hawaadle]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Col. Isak: Al-shabab’s plan is to destabilise Hiran Region |url=https://en.goobjoog.com/col-isak-al-shababs-plan-is-to-destabilise-hiran-region/ |date=January 31, 2015}} Note the confusion of "battalion" and "brigade" common in Somali press accounts.</ref>
[[File:Somali soldiers.jpeg|thumb|Somali military personnel in [[Turkey]] for military training in 2018|237x237px]]

In February 2014 Chief of Staff Elmi said that a new [[Biometrics|biometric]] registration system had been created for the SAF, whereby each person would be photographed and fingerprinted.<ref name="Ssnacrawtt"/> By the end of 2014, 17,000 national army soldiers and police officers had been registered for the new biometric remuneration system.<ref name="Gsyod">{{cite news |title=Somalia's Year of Delivery |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=9513 |access-date=31 January 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=31 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402201317/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=9513 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> 13,829 SNA soldiers and 5,134 Somali Police Force officials were biometrically registered in the system as of May 2015.<ref name="Urotsgosmtf">{{cite web |title=Report of the Secretary – General on Somalia – S /2015/331 |url=https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=s/2015/331 |publisher=United Nations Security Council |access-date=18 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160708002806/http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=s%2F2015%2F331 |archive-date=8 July 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

As of May–June 2014, numbers were reportedly estimated at 20,000 (including around 1,500 female).<ref name="Fsijmris">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=258200&mode=print|title=Female soldiers increasingly joining military ranks in Somalia|last1=Guled|first1=Abdi|date=30 May 2014|access-date=21 June 2014|newspaper=The Daily Star|agency=AP|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234643/http://www.dailystar.com.lb/ArticlePrint.aspx?id=258200&mode=print|archive-date=3 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In February 2014, the Federal Government concluded a six-month training course for the first Commandos, [[Danab Brigade|Danab]] (Somali: "Lightning"), since 1991.<ref name="Stifcatcotcg">{{cite news |last=Mohyaddin |first=Shafi’i |title=Somalia trains its first commandos after the collapse of the central government |url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2014/Feb/53215/somalia_trains_its_first_commandos_after_the_collapse_of_the_central_government.aspx |access-date=12 February 2014 |newspaper=Hiiraan Online |date=8 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222045342/https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2014/Feb/53215/somalia_trains_its_first_commandos_after_the_collapse_of_the_central_government.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>{{sfn|Williams|2018}} Training was carried out by [[Bancroft Global Development]], a U.S. private military contractor, paid by AMISOM which is then reimbursed by the U.S. State Department. The aim was to create a mixed-clan unit. The Danab unit was established at [[Baledogle Airfield]], in [[Walaweyn District]], [[Lower Shabelle]].<ref name="Stifcatcotcg" /> The training of the first Danab unit began in October 2013, with 150 recruits. As of July 2014, training of the second unit was underway. According to General Elmi, the training is geared toward both urban and rural environments, and is aimed at preparing the soldiers for guerrilla warfare and all other types of modern military operations. Elmi said that a total of 570 recruits were expected to have completed training by U.S. security personnel by the end of 2014.<ref name="Utscfa" />

In April 2015, the Federal Ministry of Defence launched its new Guulwade Plan (Victory Plan), which laid out a roadmap for long-term development of the military. It was formulated with technical support from UNSOM.<ref name="Urotsgosmtf" /> The same month, the [[United States]] government also funded the payment of 9,495 army allowances.

In March 2023, following on from an agreement in 2017, the Somali government agreed to amend troop numbers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-19 |title=Somali Leaders Agree to Increase Troop Numbers |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/somali-leaders-agree-to-increase-troop-numbers/7012152.html |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>

=== Agreements ===
[[File:2019 12 09 Defector Rehabilitation Training Program-3.jpg|thumb|314x314px|Chief of the Somali Military Tribunal, Colonel Hassan Ali Nur Shuute in 2019, in formal service dress]]
In February 2012, Somali Prime Minister [[Abdiweli Mohamed Ali]] and Italian Defence Minister [[Gianpaolo Di Paola]] agreed that Italy would assist the Somali Armed Forces as part of the National Security and Stabilization Plan.<ref name="Lpmmitmidaarts">{{cite news |title=PM meets Italian Defence minister, IFAD director and addressed Rome 3 students |url=http://laanta.net/?p=299 |access-date=17 March 2013 |newspaper=Laanta |date=2 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012022639/http://laanta.net/?p=299 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In November 2014, the Federal Parliament approved a new defense and cooperation treaty with Italy. The agreement included training and equipping of the army by Italy.<ref name="Spasmtwi">{{cite news |title=SOMALIA: Parliament approves Somalia's military treaty with Italy |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/11/somalia-parliament-approves-somalias-military-treaty-with-italy/ |access-date=23 December 2014 |newspaper=Raxanreeb |date=4 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219215150/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/11/somalia-parliament-approves-somalias-military-treaty-with-italy/ |archive-date=19 December 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

In November 2014, Somalia signed a military cooperation agreement with the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref name="Kussmca">{{cite news |title=UAE, Somalia sign military cooperation agreement |url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2407016&language=en |access-date=15 April 2015 |agency=Kuwait News Agency |date=7 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417204450/http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2407016&language=en |archive-date=17 April 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

Somalia signed military cooperation agreements with Turkey in May 2010,<ref name="Tsmaa">{{cite news |title=Turkey-Somalia military agreement approved |url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-297699-turkey-somalia-military-agreement-approved.html |access-date=13 August 2013 |newspaper=Today's Zaman |date=9 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623235606/http://www.todayszaman.com/news-297699-turkey-somalia-military-agreement-approved.html |archive-date=23 June 2013}}</ref> February 2014,<ref name="Rsmdsamswtdm">{{cite news |title=SOMALIA: Ministry of Defense signs an agreement of military support with Turkish Defense ministry |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/02/somalia-ministry-of-defense-sings-an-agreement-of-military-support-with-turkish-defense-ministry/ |access-date=10 April 2014 |newspaper=Raxanreeb |date=28 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141402/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/02/somalia-ministry-of-defense-sings-an-agreement-of-military-support-with-turkish-defense-ministry/ |archive-date=13 April 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> and January 2015.<ref name="Gpresv">{{cite news |title=Press Release: Erdogan's Somalia Visit |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=9308 |access-date=29 January 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=25 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118163629/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=9308 |archive-date=18 November 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> In early 2016 another agreement was signed to open [[Turkish military base in Somalia|Camp TURKSOM]] in [[Mogadishu]], at which [[Turkish Armed Forces]] officers were to train Somali recruits. Over 1,500 Somalis were to be trained by 200 Turkish personnel. A military school in Somalia to train officers was also planned.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/01/19/first-turkish-military-base-in-africa-to-open-in-somalia | title=First Turkish military base in Africa to open in Somalia | website=[[Daily Sabah]] | date=19 January 2016 | access-date=11 September 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911175637/http://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2016/01/19/first-turkish-military-base-in-africa-to-open-in-somalia | archive-date=11 September 2016 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all }}</ref>

===Disappearances of Somali soldiers===
In January 2021, the families of 370 Somali soldiers who were sent to Eritrea for training began protesting in Mogadishu, due to loss of contact with their relatives since November 2019. The parents of the soldiers called on President [[Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed]] "Faarmajo" to give them information as to their sons' whereabouts after the former deputy of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency Abdisalan Yusuf Guled claimed the soldiers have died fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Mohamed's office has denied the claim. A parliamentary committee, the foreign affairs and defense committee, has demanded an explanation from President Farmaajo calling on him to dispatch a fact-finding mission to Asmara for an investigation into the disappearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/africa_somali-lawmakers-demand-inquiry-alleged-troops-fighting-tigray/6201224.html|publisher=Voice of America|date= 26 January 2021|title=Somali Lawmakers Demand Inquiry on Alleged Troops Fighting in Tigray}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/feature/united-states-should-sanction-somalia%E2%80%99s-president-human-trafficking-177400|date=1 February 2021|title= The United States Should Sanction Somalia's President for Human Trafficking|publisher= National Interest}}</ref> On May 23, 2022, the last day of his presidency, Farmajo confirmed that 5,000 soldiers have concluded their training in Eritrea in mid 2021, saying that their return was delayed because of the election process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hiiraan.com/news4/2022/May/186315/farmajo_confirms_somali_troops_trained_in_eritrea_during_final_speech_as_president.aspx|publisher= Hiiraan|date=23 May 2022|title= Farmaajo confirms Somali troops trained in Eritrea during final speech as President}}</ref>

=== Army equipment ===
{{main|List of equipment of the Somali Armed Forces}}
Among firearms associated with the Somali National Army and reported by ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/10'' were Soviet [[TT pistol]]s, British [[Sterling submachine gun]]s; [[Heckler & Koch G3]] and Belgian [[FN FAL]] assault rifles, U.S. [[M14 rifle]]s, 
Soviet [[RPD machine gun]]s; Soviet [[RPK machine gun]]s; Soviet [[RP-46]] machine guns; French [[AA-52 machine gun]]s; Belgian [[FN MAG]] machine guns; Soviet [[DShK]] heavy machine guns; U.S. [[M2 Browning]] .50 cal heavy machine guns; and U.S. [[M79 grenade launcher]]s and Soviet [[RPG-2]] grenade launchers.<ref name="jones2009">Jones, Richard D. ''Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010''. Jane's Information Group; 35 edition (27 January 2009). {{ISBN|978-0-7106-2869-5}}.</ref>

In May 2012, over thirty-three vehicles were donated by the U.S. government to the SNA. The vehicles include 16 Magirus trucks, 4 Hilux pickups, 6 Land Cruiser pickups, 1 water tanker, and 6 water trailers.<ref name="Prahomvttsna">{{cite news |title=PRESS RELEASE: AMISOM hands over military vehicles to the Somali National Army |url=http://amisom-au.org/2012/05/amisom-hands-over-military-vehicles-to-the-somali-national-army/ |access-date=14 August 2014 |agency=AMISOM |date=18 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525020139/http://amisom-au.org/2012/05/amisom-hands-over-military-vehicles-to-the-somali-national-army/ |archive-date=25 May 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> On 9 April 2013, the U.S. government approved the provision of defense articles and services by the American authorities to the Somali Federal Government.<ref name="Usearfs">{{cite news |title=U.S. eases arms restrictions for Somalia |url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/04/09/US-eases-arms-restrictions-for-Somalia/UPI-82061365516759/ |access-date=22 April 2013 |work=United Press International |date=9 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413101718/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special/2013/04/09/US-eases-arms-restrictions-for-Somalia/UPI-82061365516759/ |archive-date=13 April 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> It handed over 15 vehicles to the new Commandos in March 2014.<ref name="Rsudmvtntsc">{{cite news |title=SOMALIA: U.S donates military vehicles to newly trained Somali Commandos |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/03/somalia-u-s-donates-military-vehicles-to-newly-trained-somali-commandos/ |access-date=7 April 2014 |newspaper=Raxanreeb |date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310023738/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/03/somalia-u-s-donates-military-vehicles-to-newly-trained-somali-commandos/ |archive-date=10 March 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

In April 2013, Djibouti presented the SNA with 15 armoured military vehicles. The equipment was part of a larger consignment of 25 military trucks and 25 armoured military vehicles.<ref name="Sddavts">{{cite news |title=Djibouti donates armoured vehicles to Somalia |url=http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2013/04/05/newsbrief-02 |access-date=13 April 2015 |newspaper=Sabahi |date=5 April 2013 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408213719/http://sabahionline.com/en_GB/articles/hoa/articles/newsbriefs/2013/04/05/newsbrief-02 |archive-date=8 April 2014}}</ref> The same month, the Italian government handed over 54 armored and personnel carrier vehicles to the army at a ceremony in Mogadishu.<ref name="Gihomctsg">{{cite news |title=Italy Hands over Military Consignment to Somali Government |url=http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=11335 |access-date=12 March 2015 |agency=Goobjoog |date=5 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402082636/http://goobjoog.com/english/?p=11335 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

As of April 2015, the Ministry of Defence's Guulwade Plan identifies the equipment and weaponry requirements of the army.<ref name="Urotsgosmtf" />

Thirteen [[ACMAT Bastion]] APCs were planned to be transferred in 2016, supplied via the U.S. [[Department of Defense (United States)|Department of Defense]].<ref name=trade/><ref name="African partners"/> Yet in 2018, an industry source explained to Jane's that none had actually been supplied.<ref name="JanesDW">{{cite journal|title=Cameroon's Bastion APCs now in action|date=6 June 2018|first1=Erwan|last1=de Cherisey|journal=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]]|url=http://j7dw4xlk473roufa2qi1siiq-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cameroons-Bastion-APCs-now-in-action.pdf|access-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110073648/http://j7dw4xlk473roufa2qi1siiq-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Cameroons-Bastion-APCs-now-in-action.pdf|archive-date=10 January 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, [[Navistar, Inc|Navistar Defence]] was awarded a multimillion dollar contract to supply Somalia with multiple [[Navistar 7000 series|6x6 transport and recovery trucks]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Guy |date=2019-11-27 |title=Navistar to supply trucks to Somalia |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/navistar-to-supply-trucks-to-somalia/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=defenceWeb |language=en-ZA}}</ref> In 2021, the United States supplied the Somali Army with six [[PUMA M26-15|Puma M36 Mk 6]] armoured personnel carriers, a variant of the [[PUMA M26-15]].<ref> {{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Guy |date=2021-07-13 |title=US provides Puma APCs to Somalia |url=https://www.defenceweb.co.za/featured/us-provides-puma-apcs-to-somalia/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=defenceWeb |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

== Somali Air Force ==
A Somali Aeronautical Corps (in Italian: "Corpo di Sicurezza della Somalia") was established in the 1950s during the [[Trust Territory of Somalia|trusteeship period]] prior to independence. Original equipment included six to eight [[North American P-51D Mustang]]s. It grew to become the [[Somali Air Force]], with Italian aid, in the early 1960s. The initial equipment of the SAF included [[Douglas C-47]]s, which remained in service until 1968, and a variety of small transports and trainers. However, all the surviving Mustangs were returned to Italy before Somalia gained its independence in June 1960.{{sfn|Cooper|2015|p=13}} The air force operated most of its aircraft from bases near [[Mogadishu]], [[Hargeisa]] and [[Galkayo]]. An air defence force equipped with Soviet [[S-75 Dvina|SA-2]] missiles, anti-aircraft guns, and early warning radars was in existence by September 1974.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 September 1974|title=AIR DEFENSE ACTIVITY IN SOMALIA|pages=3–6|work=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP78T05162A000400010039-5.pdf|access-date=23 Feb 2022}}</ref> It was organised into seven anti-aircraft gun & missile brigades, and one radar brigade, numbering about 3,500 personnel.<ref name=DIA1987-25>{{cite web|author=Defense Intelligence Agency|title=Military Intelligence Summary, Vol IV, Part III, Africa South of the Sahara|url=https://www.dia.mil/FOIA/FOIA-Electronic-Reading-Room/FOIA-Reading-Room-Africa/FileId/39704/|date=November 1987|page=Somalia-25}}</ref> In June 1983, the government took delivery of 9 [[Hawker Hunter|Hawker Hunters]] and 4 [[Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander|Islander]] aircraft from the [[United Arab Emirates]] at the port in Mogadishu.<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 June 1983|title=AIRCRAFT DELIVERY|pages=4|work=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|url=https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP84T00171R000100680001-7.pdf|access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref>

By January 1991 the air force was in ruins.{{sfn|Fitzgerald|2002|p=19}} In 2012, Italy offered to help rebuild the air force. In 2016 the air force was described as 150 retirees from the Siad Barre era, without any aircraft.{{sfn|Robinson|2016|p=242, 244, 250}} Other late 2016-early 2017 figures from the SJPER said 170.{{sfn|Zacchia|Harborne|Sims|2017|page=33}} The air force's personnel were located in a camp on the outskirts of [[Mogadishu International Airport]]. 

"Somalia's air force is not functional. ..although the Somali Air Force has no aircraft or maintenance crews, it has sent some pilots for training in Turkey."<ref name=ElmiWilliams>{{cite web|title=Security Sector Reform in Somalia: Challenges and Opportunities |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/security-sector-reform-somalia-challenges-and-opportunities}}</ref> "In December 2021, Turkey provided the FGS with Baykar [[Bayraktar TB2]] drones. Operating out of Mogadishu, they were piloted by Turkish personnel and used for reconnaissance in support of Gorgor troops until late 2022 when some were armed and began conducting strikes against al-Shabaab targets."<ref name=ElmiWilliams /> The [[Turkish Army Aviation Command]] supervises most overland UAV operations for the [[Turkish Armed Forces]].

"The United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) has supported the [[African Union Transition Mission in Somalia]] (ATMIS) to acquire three helicopters from the Burundi National Defence Forces (BNDF)." These have included Mi-8s and [[Bell 412]] helicopters.<ref>{{cite web|title=UNSOS supports ATMIS to acquire helicopters to fight al-Shabaab| url=https://thesomalidigest.com/unsos-supports-atmis-to-acquire-helicopters-to-fight-al-shabaab/ |date=October 21, 2023}}</ref> In addition, Scramble in the Netherlands reported in August 2023 that Somalia had received two ex-Italian [[Agusta-Bell AB 412]] helicopters.<ref>{{cite web|title=Somalia receives Bell 412 |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/somalia-receives-bell-412 |date=August 17, 2023}}</ref> No source ties any of the drones or helicopters to the Somali Air Force.

== Somali Navy ==
[[File:Somali navy.png|thumb|right|Two Somali [[Osa class missile boat|Osa-class missile boats]] during the 1983 [[Operation Bright Star]]]]
The [[Somali Navy]] was formed after independence in 1960. Prior to 1991, it participated in several joint exercises with the United States, Great Britain and Canada. It disintegrated during the beginning of the civil war in Somalia, from the late 1980s.{{sfn|Metz|1993|p=196, 206}}

Announcement that naval rebuilding efforts would begin date from the first decade of the 21st century.<ref name="Smnstmtmftsic">{{cite news |title=Somalia to Make Task Marine Forces to Secure Its Coast |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201208010023.html |access-date=9 August 2012 |newspaper=Shabelle Media Network |date=31 July 2012}}</ref> Admiral Farah Ahmed Omar told a ''[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]'' reporter in December 2009 that the navy was 'practically nothing' at the time, though five hundred new recruits were in training.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/12/14/the-most-failed-state|title=The Most Failed State|last=Anderson|first=Jon Lee|date=7 December 2009|magazine=[[The New Yorker|New Yorker]]|access-date=13 July 2019|language=en|issn=0028-792X}}</ref> On 30 June 2012, the [[United Arab Emirates]] announced a contribution of $1&nbsp;million toward enhancing Somalia's naval security. Boats, equipment and communication gear necessary for the rebuilding of the coast guard would be bought. A central operations naval command was also planned to be set up in Mogadishu.<ref name="Uctcuotssnscsg">{{cite news |title=UAE committed to contribute US$1&nbsp;million to support Somali naval security capabilities, says Gargash |url=http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_committed_to_contribute_US$1_million_to_support_Somali_naval_security_capabilities,_says_Gargash/50139.htm |access-date=24 March 2013 |newspaper=UAE Interact |date=30 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614080844/http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE_committed_to_contribute_US$1_million_to_support_Somali_naval_security_capabilities,_says_Gargash/50139.htm |archive-date=14 June 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

== Chief of Defence Force ==
{{main|Chief of Defence Force (Somalia)}}
[[File:The Somali National Army Logo.svg|thumb|150px|Beret and cap badge for all officers of the Somali Armed Forces]]

Barre became Chief of Staff, and then SAF commander; General [[Mohammad Ali Samatar]] became Chair, Peace and Security Committee, in December 1974 while remaining commandant of the Army and Secretary of State for Defence, while Brigadier General Abdalla Mohamed Fail was Samatar's deputy, and First Vice-Commandant of the Army;{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} Samatar was Commander-in-Chief in 1976; [[Maslah Mohammed Siad Barre]] became SNA Commander-in-Chief in 1989; Brigadier General [[Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan]] became commander-in-chief on 25 November 1990.{{sfn|Clarke|1992|p=31}}

From the mid-2010s, the title of the senior military officer has been Chief of Defence Force.

== Ranks, uniform, and camouflage ==
{{main|Military ranks of Somalia}}
In July 2014, General [[Dahir Adan Elmi]] announced the completion of a review of the Somali National Army ranks. The SNA in conjunction with the Ministry of Defense is also slated to standardize the martial ranking system and eliminate any unauthorized promotions as part of a broader reform.<ref name="Rsmcwcmr">{{cite news |title=Somalia: Military Chief warns counterfeit military ranks |url=http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/08/somalia-military-chief-warns-counterfeit-military-ranks/ |access-date=12 August 2014 |agency=Raxanreeb |date=8 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813001707/http://www.raxanreeb.com/2014/08/somalia-military-chief-warns-counterfeit-military-ranks/ |archive-date=13 August 2014 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
;Officers
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OF/Somalia}}
|}

;Enlisted
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Somalia}}
|}

=== Uniform and camouflage ===
Somalia's Army had very little variation in their uniforms since their inception, the most common camouflage is [[U.S. Woodland|woodland]] camouflage but in recent years, Somalia has now have access to [[digital camouflage]] as well. Somalia's more common service uniform consists of fatigues and [[Military beret#Somalia|coloured berets]] on which rank insignia can be displayed and coloured [[Gorget patches#Somalia|gorget patches]], shoulder patches that display their unit although there is a more formal variant that resembles [[Service Dress (British Army)|British Service Dress]] but is khaki in colour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://i.ytimg.com/vi/q-8u65yMTjw/maxresdefault.jpg|title=Image of General Odowaa Rageh}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
* {{cite journal|ref={{harvid|AfricaConfidential|1986}}|title=Somalia: Military Politics|journal=[[Africa Confidential]]|volume=27|number=22|date=26 October 1986|pages=1–2}}
* {{cite book |ref={{harvid|Adam|1998}}|first1=Eboe |first2=Abdoulaye |last1=Hutchful |last2=Bathily |title=The Military and Militarism in Africa |publisher=CODESRIA |date=1998 |chapter=Chapter 10: Somalia: Personal Rule, Military Rule and Militarism |pages=355–397|isbn=978-2-86978-069-9}}
* {{cite book|first=Walter S.|last=Clarke|title=Background Information for Operation Restore Hope|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a259777.pdf|publisher=Strategic Studies Institute|place=Carlisle, PA|date=December 1992|access-date=13 July 2019|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713190650/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a259777.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal|first=Daniel|last=Compagnon|title=Political decay in Somalia: From Personal Rule to Warlordism|url=http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/refuge/article/download/21676/20349|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809214230/http://pi.library.yorku.ca/ojs/index.php/refuge/article/download/21676/20349|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 August 2014|journal=Refuge|volume=12|number=5|date=November–December 1992|access-date=9 August 2014}}
* {{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Tom |title=Wings over Ogaden: The Ethiopian–Somali War, 1978–1979 |date=2015 |publisher=Helion and Company |isbn=978-1-909982-38-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XUbdCQAAQBAJ |access-date=7 March 2021 |language=en}}
* Defense Intelligence Agency, 'Military Intelligence Summary, Vol IV, Part III, Africa South of the Sahara', November 1987
* {{Cite book|last=Fitzgerald|first=Nina J.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IXdqkSH4S7EC|title=Somalia: Issues, History, and Bibliography|date=1 January 2002|publisher=Nova Publishers|isbn=978-1-59033-265-8}}
* {{cite web|author=Human Rights Watch|author-link=Human Rights Watch|url=https://www.hrw.org/node/76418/section/10 |title=So Much to Fear: War Crimes and Devastation in Somalia - Human Rights Abuses by Transitional Federal Government Forces|date=December 2008}}
* {{cite web|author=ILO |title=The Federal Republic of Somalia – Provisional Constitution |url=https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=94693&p_country=SOM&p_classification=01 |publisher=[[International Labour Organization]] |date=2012-08-01 |access-date=8 May 2023 }}
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ICG|2011}}|author=International Crisis Group|title=Somalia: The Transitional Government on Life Support|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/somalia/somalia-transitional-government-life-support|series=Africa Report 170|date=20 February 2011|author-link=International Crisis Group}}
* {{cite web|ref={{harvid|ICG|2008}}|author=International Crisis Group|title=Somalia: To move beyond the failed state|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/somalia/somalia-move-beyond-failed-state|series=Africa Report 147|date=23 December 2008}}
* {{cite book|author=IISS|title=IISS Military Balance 1989–90|publisher=Brassey's for the International Institute for Strategic Studies|year=1989}}
* {{cite book|first=Irving|last=Kaplan |display-authors=etal |title=U.S. Army Area Handbook for Somalia|publisher=[[Department of the Army]] |edition= Second|date=1977}} Pamphlet 550-86.
* {{cite book |last=Makin|first=William James |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4O0vAAAAIAAJ |title=War Over Ethiopia |year=1935 }}
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Metz|1993}}|first=Helen|last=Metz|author-link=Helen Chapin Metz |title=Somalia: A Country Study |url=https://cdn.loc.gov/master/frd/frdcstdy/so/somaliacountryst00metz_0/somaliacountryst00metz_0.pdf |publisher=Library of Congress |year=c. 1993 |access-date=12 July 2019}}
* {{cite book|last=Nelson|first=Harold D.|title=Somalia: A Country Study|publisher=[[Department of the Army]]|place=Washington DC |date=1981}}
* {{cite book|ref={{harvid|Mohamoud|2006}}|first=Abdullah A.|last=Mohamoud|title=State collapse and post-conflict development in Africa : the case of Somalia (1960–2001)|place=West Lafayette, Ind.|publisher=[[Purdue University Press]]|date=c. 2006}} (DT407 M697 S)
* {{cite web|last1=Nilsson|first1=Claes |last2=Norberg | first2=Johan |title=European Union Training Mission Somalia – A Mission Assessment|url=http://www.foi.se/Documents/Nilsson%20and%20Norberg,%20European%20Union%20Training%20MissionSomalia.%20A%20Mission%20Assessment,%202014.pdf|publisher=Swedish National Defence Research Institute|date=2014|access-date=22 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403130537/http://www.foi.se/Documents/Nilsson%20and%20Norberg,%20European%20Union%20Training%20MissionSomalia.%20A%20Mission%20Assessment,%202014.pdf|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite journal|ref={{harvid|Robinson|2019b}}|first=Colin D.|last=Robinson|title=Glimpse into an Army at its Peak: Notes on the Somali National Army in the 1960-80s|journal=Defence and Security Analysis|volume=35|issue=4|pages=423–429|doi=10.1080/14751798.2019.1675944 |year=2019|s2cid=211441701}}
* {{cite journal |first=Colin D.|last=Robinson |year=2019 |title=The Somali National Army: An Assessment|journal=Defense & Security Analysis |volume=35 |issue=2 |pages=211–221|doi=10.1080/14751798.2019.1600805|s2cid=159442854}}
* {{cite journal |first=Colin D.|last=Robinson |year=2016 |title=Revisiting the rise and fall of the Somali Armed Forces, 1960–2012 |journal=Defense & Security Analysis |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=237–252 |doi=10.1080/14751798.2016.1199122|s2cid=156874430}}
* {{cite book|last=Williams|first=Paul D.|title=Fighting for Peace in Somalia: A History and Analysis of the African Union Mission in Somalia|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|date=2018}}
* {{cite journal|last=Williams|first=Paul D.|title=Into the Mogadishu maelstrom: the African Union mission in Somalia|journal=[[International Peacekeeping]]|volume=16|number=4|date=2009|pages=514–530|doi=10.1080/13533310903184713|s2cid=143959443}}
* {{cite book|last1=Zacchia|first1=Paolo B|last2=Harborne|first2=Bernard |last3=Sims|first3=Jeff|title=Somalia - Security and Justice Sector Public Expenditure Review|place=Washington, D.C.|publisher=World Bank Group|date=2017 |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/644671486531571103/Somalia-Security-and-justice-sector-public-expenditure-review}}

==Further reading==
* Baffour Agyeman-Duah, The Horn of Africa: Conflict, Demilitarization and Reconstruction, Journal of Conflict Studies, Vol. 16, No. 2, 1996, accessed at https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/JCS/article/view/11813/12632#a50
* Brian Crozier, The Soviet Presence in Somalia, Institute for the Study of Conflict, London, 1975
* Irving Kaplan et al., Area Handbook for Somalia, American University, 1969.
* {{cite journal|first=Paul D.|last=Williams|title=Building the Somali National Army: Anatomy of a failure, 2008–2018|journal=Journal of Strategic Studies|pages=366–391|doi=10.1080/01402390.2019.1575210|year=2019|volume=43|issue=3|s2cid=159305507}}

== External links ==
* Historic Handover: [https://somalista.com/somalia-security-transition-african-union-handover/ Somalia Takes Charge Of Security Bases From African Union], [https://somalista.com/somalia-security-transition-african-union-handover/], [https://somalista.com/ Somalista]
* Air Combat Information Group, {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120720091855/http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_191.shtml Somalia, 1980–1996]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070101004256/http://www.worldpolicy.org/projects/arms/reports/wawrep.html "Weapons at War", a World Policy Institute Issue Brief by William D. Hartung, May 1995, chapter III: Strengthening Potential Adversaries (12th paragraph), Somalia.]
* London Somalia Conference 2017. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/london-somalia-conference-2017-security-pact
* [[United States State Department]], [https://search.wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/1973MOGADI00510_b.html 1973MOGADI00510 Army Day Speeches (1973)], 14 April 1973, via [[United States diplomatic cables leak]]
* https://www.africanaerospace.aero/somalia-battles-for-an-air-force-to-fight-against-terror.html – air force, 2018.
* https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2022/1209/Somalia-rallies-grassroots-to-oppose-jihadist-Al-Shabab.-Will-it-work - 2022
* [https://www.voanews.com/a/al-shabab-fighters-killed-in-airstrike-in-somalia/7144064.html Voice of America] -43 militants killed, 2023

{{CIA World Factbook}}

{{Somalia topics}}
{{Military of Africa}}
{{Military of the Arab world}}{{Somalia Military}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Somali Armed Forces}}
[[Category:Military of Somalia| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1960]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Somalia]]