2010 timeline of the War in Somalia
Encyclopedia
The timeline of events in the War in Somalia (2009–).
Shelling in a Mogadishu Market kills 3
The Battle of Beledweyne began when Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
forces attacked and captured East Beledweyne
which was being held by the Hizbul Islam insurgent group. It became the first battle in months were al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam groups cooperated against the TFG.
UPI reports that five are killed, and seven wounded in inter-factional fighting in Hiiraan
region in central Somalia, near the town of Beledweyn . A report from Shabelle Radio reports "heavy clashes between the fighters of Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a and the allied fighters of Harakat al-Shabaab erupted near the Somali city at the village of Elgal Monday night."
January 27
UPI reports that inter-factional fighting has broken out in Galguduud
region between al-Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
militants.
The Associated Press is reporting that fighting has broken out in Mogadishu between AU troops and Al-Shabaab, calling it the heaviest fighting in the Somali capital in months. The attack takes place shortly before TFG President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed reaches the first year mark in his presidency.
At least nine people have been killed and 14 others wounded in heavy shelling in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, according to a human rights group.The clashes began late Sunday and continued into Monday morning, said the Elman Peace and Human Rights Organization, a group based in the city.
Islamists attempted to pre-emptively strike the TFG before the beginning of a major TFG offensive. At least 16 civilians are dead due to African Union shelling.
UPI reports that 30 people were killed in 2 bomb blasts at mosques in Mogadishu, reportedly targeting "Fuad Mohamed Khalaf, a high ranking member of the al-Shabab
militia". Reports from the BBC and UPI suggest that the dead were mostly worshippers. Later reports indicate that 39 people were killed, and relief agencies suggest that the bombing was caused by inter-factional fighting within al-Shebaab..
The battle was prompted by Ethiopian troops seizing a truck belonging to the Dulbahante, sparking a Dulbahante response and Ethiopian retaliatory attack on Boohuudle and a Somaliland attack upon WidhWidh. 3 Ethiopians and 10 members of the Northern Somali Unionist Movement were killed in battle.
Twenty people killed, and sixty wounded, mostly civilians caught in the crossfire between TFG forces and Islamist fighters in Mogadishu's "open-air Baraka Market". Shelling had begun the day before, when the parliament of the TFG opened its session.
UPI reports that al-Shabaab militants "seized several districts of... Mogadishu" and had begun shelling the Somali presidential palace. UPI suggests that the TFG is "barely functioning" and that prior to the gains by al-Shebaab, only "controlled a section of the coastal city around the presidential seat, the airport and the harbor". The President
of Djibouti
, speaking in New York, suggested that the TFG may not survive the escalating conflict, with members of the TFG already blaming each other for mistakes in the handling of the conflict. Al-Shebaab released a statement saying ""We have driven out the government from the north of Mogadishu. Now our next step is to capture the palace."
CNN and the BBC are reporting that another twenty people are dead and another 55 are wounded in continued fighting in Mogadishu between TFG forces and al-Shabaab. According to government officials and General Ahmed Ibrahim, TFG forces advanced further into Islamist territory, taking back several neighbourhoods previously held by al-Shabaab. BBC Africa analyst Richard Hamilton suggested that this could signal a "reversal of fortune" for the TFG.
In response to an increase in African Union troops, al-Shabaab mounted an offensive on Mogadishu, beginning on 23 August with an attack on army barracks in several urban districts. The next day, al-Shabaab launched an attack on the Muna Hotel
, a hotel in Mogadishu popular with prominent government officials. As of 24 August, at least 30 people were killed in the attack, including 11 Somali MPs.
In their attempts to curb Al-Shabaab's advance across the region, forces loyal to the TFG attacked the militant-controlled town of Bulo Hawo, lying on the Somalia-Ethiopian border. The government troops were backed by the Sufi alliance Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama, and together successfully recaptured the city. Initial reports indicate that 11 al-Shabaab fighters and 1 government soldier died in the battle. Continued fighting has also been reported in the city of Beledweyne
.
On October 21st, the African Union
appealed to the United Nations
for an air and naval blockade of Somalia. The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra insisted that such an action was necessary to curb the flow of weapons to al-Shabaab and other Islamist militants in the region, and also called for a total of 20,000 AU peacekeepers to be deployed to Somalia, up from the current deployment of 8,000 peacekeepers. Security Council President Ruhakana Rugunda
called the requests "legitimate", and Uganda
has thrown its support behind the proposal for a larger security force.
January
- January 5
- 3 killed, 13 wounded
Shelling in a Mogadishu Market kills 3
- January 10 - 14
- 25 dead , 75 wounded
The Battle of Beledweyne began when Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a or ASWJ is a Somali paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to the radical islamist group Al-Shabaab. They are fighting to prevent strict sharia and Wahhabism from being imposed on Somalia and protecting the country's Sunni-Sufi traditions and generally...
forces attacked and captured East Beledweyne
Beledweyne
Beledweyne is a city in central Somalia. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river near the Ogaden, some 206 miles north of Mogadishu, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west...
which was being held by the Hizbul Islam insurgent group. It became the first battle in months were al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam groups cooperated against the TFG.
- January 26
- 5 killed, 7 wounded
UPI reports that five are killed, and seven wounded in inter-factional fighting in Hiiraan
Hiiraan
Hiran is an administrative region in south-central Somalia.-Overview:Hiiraan is bordered by the Somali Region of Ethiopia to the northwest, and the Somalian provinces of Galgudud to the northeast, Middle Shebelle) to the south, Lower Shebelle to the southwest, and Bay and Bakool to the west.The...
region in central Somalia, near the town of Beledweyn . A report from Shabelle Radio reports "heavy clashes between the fighters of Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a and the allied fighters of Harakat al-Shabaab erupted near the Somali city at the village of Elgal Monday night."
January 27
UPI reports that inter-factional fighting has broken out in Galguduud
Galguduud
Galguduud is an administrative region in central Somalia.-Overview:It is bordered by Ethiopia, the Somalian regions of Mudug, Hiiraan, Shabeellaha Dhexe , and the Indian Ocean....
region between al-Shabaab and Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a or ASWJ is a Somali paramilitary group consisting of moderate Sufis opposed to the radical islamist group Al-Shabaab. They are fighting to prevent strict sharia and Wahhabism from being imposed on Somalia and protecting the country's Sunni-Sufi traditions and generally...
militants.
- January 29
- 15 killed, 30 wounded
The Associated Press is reporting that fighting has broken out in Mogadishu between AU troops and Al-Shabaab, calling it the heaviest fighting in the Somali capital in months. The attack takes place shortly before TFG President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed reaches the first year mark in his presidency.
February
- February 8
- 9 killed, 14 wounded
At least nine people have been killed and 14 others wounded in heavy shelling in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, according to a human rights group.The clashes began late Sunday and continued into Monday morning, said the Elman Peace and Human Rights Organization, a group based in the city.
- February 11
- 30 killed
Islamists attempted to pre-emptively strike the TFG before the beginning of a major TFG offensive. At least 16 civilians are dead due to African Union shelling.
May
- May 1
- 39 killed, 70 injured
UPI reports that 30 people were killed in 2 bomb blasts at mosques in Mogadishu, reportedly targeting "Fuad Mohamed Khalaf, a high ranking member of the al-Shabab
Al-Shabab
Al-Shabab is a Saudi Arabian professional football club based in Riyadh. It was founded in 1947, and was named at first Shabab AlRiyadh, but later in 1967 was named Al Shabab. Al Shabab is well known in Saudi Arabia as one of the best in football...
militia". Reports from the BBC and UPI suggest that the dead were mostly worshippers. Later reports indicate that 39 people were killed, and relief agencies suggest that the bombing was caused by inter-factional fighting within al-Shebaab..
- May 10
- 13 dead
The battle was prompted by Ethiopian troops seizing a truck belonging to the Dulbahante, sparking a Dulbahante response and Ethiopian retaliatory attack on Boohuudle and a Somaliland attack upon WidhWidh. 3 Ethiopians and 10 members of the Northern Somali Unionist Movement were killed in battle.
- May 17
- 20 killed, 60 wounded
Twenty people killed, and sixty wounded, mostly civilians caught in the crossfire between TFG forces and Islamist fighters in Mogadishu's "open-air Baraka Market". Shelling had begun the day before, when the parliament of the TFG opened its session.
- May 25
- 15 Killed, 30 wounded
UPI reports that al-Shabaab militants "seized several districts of... Mogadishu" and had begun shelling the Somali presidential palace. UPI suggests that the TFG is "barely functioning" and that prior to the gains by al-Shebaab, only "controlled a section of the coastal city around the presidential seat, the airport and the harbor". The President
Ismail Omar Guelleh
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is the President of Djibouti. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, in 1999. He is often referred to in the region by his initials 'IOG'....
of Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, speaking in New York, suggested that the TFG may not survive the escalating conflict, with members of the TFG already blaming each other for mistakes in the handling of the conflict. Al-Shebaab released a statement saying ""We have driven out the government from the north of Mogadishu. Now our next step is to capture the palace."
June
- June 3
- 20-28. dead, 55-60 wounded
CNN and the BBC are reporting that another twenty people are dead and another 55 are wounded in continued fighting in Mogadishu between TFG forces and al-Shabaab. According to government officials and General Ahmed Ibrahim, TFG forces advanced further into Islamist territory, taking back several neighbourhoods previously held by al-Shabaab. BBC Africa analyst Richard Hamilton suggested that this could signal a "reversal of fortune" for the TFG.
August
- August 23 - Ongoing
- 2,318+ Civilians killed , 6,024+ wounded
In response to an increase in African Union troops, al-Shabaab mounted an offensive on Mogadishu, beginning on 23 August with an attack on army barracks in several urban districts. The next day, al-Shabaab launched an attack on the Muna Hotel
Muna Hotel attack
The Muna Hotel in the Somali capital of Mogadishu was attacked by al-Shabaab fighters on 24 August 2010. The hotel was known to host government officials and other politicians...
, a hotel in Mogadishu popular with prominent government officials. As of 24 August, at least 30 people were killed in the attack, including 11 Somali MPs.
October
- October 18
- At least 12 dead
In their attempts to curb Al-Shabaab's advance across the region, forces loyal to the TFG attacked the militant-controlled town of Bulo Hawo, lying on the Somalia-Ethiopian border. The government troops were backed by the Sufi alliance Ahlu Sunnah Wal Jama, and together successfully recaptured the city. Initial reports indicate that 11 al-Shabaab fighters and 1 government soldier died in the battle. Continued fighting has also been reported in the city of Beledweyne
Beledweyne
Beledweyne is a city in central Somalia. It is the capital of the Hiraan province, and is located in the central valley of the Shebelle river near the Ogaden, some 206 miles north of Mogadishu, the nation's capital. The Shebelle river divides the town into east and west...
.
- October 21
On October 21st, the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
appealed to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
for an air and naval blockade of Somalia. The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra insisted that such an action was necessary to curb the flow of weapons to al-Shabaab and other Islamist militants in the region, and also called for a total of 20,000 AU peacekeepers to be deployed to Somalia, up from the current deployment of 8,000 peacekeepers. Security Council President Ruhakana Rugunda
Ruhakana Rugunda
Ruhakana Rugunda is the current Minister of Information & Communication Technology in the Ugandan Cabinet. He was appointed to that position on 27 May 2011. He replaced Aggrey Awori, who was dropped from the Cabinet...
called the requests "legitimate", and Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
has thrown its support behind the proposal for a larger security force.