Current mood:

accomplished

The Beginning- "An Overview of the Conflict."
The severe situation of conflict in present day Somalia began after the downfall of leader, Siad Barre and his repressive regime. After his loss of power, there was an effort to reinstate him to his former position. An internal, violent, crisis began. Somalia divided into several independent accumulations as a result of the governmental crisis. These divisions consisted of: Puntland, Somaliland, Jubaland, and Galmudug. The UN intervened in 1992 and formed UNITAF to aid with famine, and to assist with peace in Somalia. They pulled out in 1995 due to high casualty rates after the battles in Mogadishu. There has been scrutiny directed to the reason why the Bush Administration decided to get involved. Some believe that it was not a pure act of humanitarianism, but rather to advance in access to oil reserves.
The Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism was formed in 2006, and supported by the U.S. C.I.A., which caused controversy in the Somali capitol. The alliance was aimed against the increasing power of the Islamic Courts Union. The ICU captured Mogadishu in the second battle, and gain power over the ARPCT. Warfare between the ICU and the divisions of Somalia, also including the TFG(transitional federal government) began. The ICU also formed an alliance with Ethiopia's greatest rival, Eritrea.
Ethiopia intervened when the ICU attempted to drive them out of Somalia, however, the ICU failed and withdrew to Mogadishu. Leaders of the ICU abandoned their title after the battle of Jowhar on December 27.
The U.S. intervened yet again in attempt to capture Al Qaeda members amongst the ICU.