Allied Somali Forces
Encyclopedia
The Allied Somali Forces (ASF) was a political faction
of the Somali Civil War
. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement
(SPM) vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland
.
Following the breakdown of central authority in the Somali Civil War
, General Hersi "Morgan" declared Jubaland independent on September 3, 1998.
Opponents to General "Morgan" came from the Somali Marehan
, Ogadeni and Habr Gedir ethnic groups. The Marehan Somali National Front
(SNF) and other tribal allies grouped together as the Allied Somali Forces (ASF). They ousted General "Morgan" from Kismayu in June 1999.
The ASF renamed itself the Juba Valley Alliance
in June 2001, and threw its support behind the Transitional Federal Government
(TFG). The leader of the JVA is Colonel Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
, who later became Defense Minister for the TFG. The militia commander of the JVA is Col. Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag
.
Political faction
A political faction is a grouping of individuals, such as a political party, a trade union, or other group with a political purpose. A faction or political party may include fragmented sub-factions, “parties within a party," which may be referred to as power blocs, or voting blocs. The individuals...
of the Somali Civil War
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement
Somali Patriotic Movement
The Somali Patriotic Movement is a political party and paramilitary organization in Somalia, and a key faction in the Somali Civil War. Commanded by Aden Abdullahi Nur Gabyow, it was based in the southwestern area of the country, and had considerable influence in the leaderless country...
(SPM) vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland
Jubaland
Jubaland , also known as Azania or the Juba Valley and formerly as Trans-Juba , is an autonomous region in southern Somalia. Its eastern border lies 40–60 km east of the Jubba River, stretching from Gedo to the Indian Ocean, while its western side flanks the North Eastern Province in...
.
Following the breakdown of central authority in the Somali Civil War
Somali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
, General Hersi "Morgan" declared Jubaland independent on September 3, 1998.
Opponents to General "Morgan" came from the Somali Marehan
Marehan
The Marehan are a Somali clan. They are one of the major Darod sub-clans, forming a part of the Sade confederation of clans. The majority of the Marehan live in the Jubbada Hoose, Gedo and Jubbada Dhexe regions in southwestern Somalia, as well as the Galguduud and Mudug regions in central...
, Ogadeni and Habr Gedir ethnic groups. The Marehan Somali National Front
Somali National Front
The Somali National Front was a political revolutionary movement and armed militia in Somalia.-History:Initially made up of loyalists to former President of Somalia Siad Barre and the remnants of the Somali National Army forces after his ouster from office, the SNF's intent and goal was to...
(SNF) and other tribal allies grouped together as the Allied Somali Forces (ASF). They ousted General "Morgan" from Kismayu in June 1999.
The ASF renamed itself the Juba Valley Alliance
Juba Valley Alliance
The Juba Valley Alliance is a political faction of the Somali Civil War. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement and the Somali Reconciliation and Restoration Council vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland.Following the...
in June 2001, and threw its support behind the Transitional Federal Government
Transitional Federal Government
The Transitional Federal Government is the current internationally recognized government of the Republic of Somalia. It was established as one of the Transitional Federal Institutions of government as defined in the Transitional Federal Charter adopted in November 2004 by the Transitional...
(TFG). The leader of the JVA is Colonel Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale
Barre Adan Shire , also known as Barre Hiiraale, Barre "Hirale" Aden Shire, or Abdikadir Adan Shire, is a former Minister of Defense of the Somali Transitional Federal Government . He was previously the TFG Minister for National Reconstruction and Resettlement...
, who later became Defense Minister for the TFG. The militia commander of the JVA is Col. Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag
Abdulahi Sheik Ismael Fara-Tag
Colonel Abdulahi Sheik Ismael is a commander in the army of the Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia.He was militia chief commander of the Juba Valley Alliance before it folded under the command of the TFG, serving under Barre Adan Shire Hiiraale before and after the...
.