Somali Patriotic Movement
Encyclopedia
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, (a defense minister under former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre
,) it was based in the southwestern area of the country, and had considerable influence in the leaderless country. Members of the group supported the idea of Jubaland
's secession from Somalia.
Begun by a group of affected Ogadeni privates, with an area of operations centered on Kismayo and the Kenyan border (Lower Juba). They were early allies of the UNC in operations against Siad Barre. A key accomplishment was the seizure of Bale-Dogle air base in the days prior to Barre's flight from Mogadishu.
However, after Barre's flight, when Ali Mahdi's Maifesto Group announced the formation of an "interim government" without consulting SPM leadership, a crisis ensued. After fighting broke out between the Manifesto Group supporters and the SPM, the SPM suddenly reversed direction and allied itself with Barre, who was seeking to reestablish his regime. This reversal was angrily resisted by many of the original Ogadeni, who split off into their own faction.
The SPM thus sundered into two tribal-oriented factions:
On August 12, 1992, the SPM Ogadeni faction joined General Aidid to form the Somali National Alliance
. The SPM fractured along tribal lines, and massacres and ethnic cleansing
began between the two rival factions, as well as their external enemies.
In 1998, the SPM (Harti) under General "Morgan", based out of Kismayo, founded the autonomous state of Jubaland
. They were strenuously opposed by the Allied Somali Forces
, which later became the Juba Valley Alliance
. The SPM and ASF/JVA contended over the control of south Somalia until the JVA proved victorious, driving General "Morgan" into exile.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
organization in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, and a key faction 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...
. Commanded by Aden Abdullahi Nur Gabyow, (a defense minister under former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
,) it was based in the southwestern area of the country, and had considerable influence in the leaderless country. Members of the group supported the idea of 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...
's secession from Somalia.
Begun by a group of affected Ogadeni privates, with an area of operations centered on Kismayo and the Kenyan border (Lower Juba). They were early allies of the UNC in operations against Siad Barre. A key accomplishment was the seizure of Bale-Dogle air base in the days prior to Barre's flight from Mogadishu.
However, after Barre's flight, when Ali Mahdi's Maifesto Group announced the formation of an "interim government" without consulting SPM leadership, a crisis ensued. After fighting broke out between the Manifesto Group supporters and the SPM, the SPM suddenly reversed direction and allied itself with Barre, who was seeking to reestablish his regime. This reversal was angrily resisted by many of the original Ogadeni, who split off into their own faction.
The SPM thus sundered into two tribal-oriented factions:
- SPM Ogadeni, or SPM-SNA, under Ahmed Omar Jess and Gedi Ugas Madhar
- SPM HartiHartiHarti , meaning "strong man", is a name used to denote a confederation of various Darod sub-clans of the Somali people.-Clan tree:There is no clear agreement on the clan and sub-clan structures and many lineages are omitted...
, under Aden Abdillahi Nur "Gabyow" (Chairman) and General Mohamed Siad Hersi "Morgan" (Militia Commander)
On August 12, 1992, the SPM Ogadeni faction joined General Aidid to form the Somali National Alliance
Somali National Alliance
The Somali National Alliance was a political alliance formed in June, 1992 with Mohamed Farrah Aidid as its head. Its constituents included Aidid's breakaway United Somali Congress faction, the Somali Patriotic Movement and other southern factions. They were one faction in the Somali Civil War...
. The SPM fractured along tribal lines, and massacres and ethnic cleansing
Ethnic cleansing
Ethnic cleansing is a purposeful policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic orreligious group from certain geographic areas....
began between the two rival factions, as well as their external enemies.
In 1998, the SPM (Harti) under General "Morgan", based out of Kismayo, founded the autonomous state of 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...
. They were strenuously opposed by the Allied Somali Forces
Allied Somali Forces
The Allied Somali Forces was a political faction of the Somali Civil War. It was the primary opponent of the Somali Patriotic Movement vying for the control of Kismayo and the Juba River valley, the area known as Jubaland....
, which later became 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...
. The SPM and ASF/JVA contended over the control of south Somalia until the JVA proved victorious, driving General "Morgan" into exile.