Armed groups and militias

Mohamed Said Hersi 'Morgan' (Maxamed Siciid Xirsi Moorgan)Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan (1949–2025): northern commander, last defence minister of the central government, Kismayo in the 1990s, later Puntland adviser.
Ahmed Omar Jess (Axmed Cumar Jees)Ahmed Omar Jess: leader of the Absame wing of the Somali Patriotic Movement, his alliance with Aidid, control of Kismayo in 1992–93, and the contest with Morgan.
United Somali Congress (USC), 1989–2003The USC, 1989–2003: founding in Rome, Aidid's military wing, the fall of Mogadishu in 1991, the Ali Mahdi and Aidid wings, and what became of them.
Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (Cumar Xaaji Masalle)Omar Haji Mohamed 'Masale' (1934–2014): army officer and defence minister, leader of the Somali National Front in Gedo, the fight with al-Itihaad, and the Sodere agreement.
Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), 1985–2004The SPM, 1985–2004: origins, army defections in 1990, the Jess and Morgan wings, Kismayo, the 1998 Jubaland project, and later groups.
Hussein Farrah Aidid (Xuseen Faarax Caydiid)Hussein Farrah Aidid (born 1962): US Marine reservist, leader of the Somali National Alliance from 1996, the Cairo Declaration, and his posts in the Transitional Federal Government.
Somali National Front (SNF), 1991–2001The SNF, 1991–2001: who formed it, its leaders, the 1991–92 campaign, Gedo, relations with Ethiopia and al-Itihaad, and its merger into the TNG.
Osman Ali Atto (Cismaan Cali Caato)Osman Ali Atto (c. 1940–2013): Aidid's financier, his 1993 capture, the 1995–96 split and Mogadishu fighting, and his later role in the Transitional Federal Government.
Rahanweyn Resistance Army (RRA), 1995–2004The RRA, 1995–2004: founding at Jhaffey, the taking of Huddur and Baidoa, Ethiopian support, the 2002 South West State and split, and the move into the TFG.
Musa Sudi Yalahow (Muuse Suudi Yalaxow)Musa Sudi Yalahow: Mogadishu faction leader, trade minister in the Transitional Federal Government, a founder of the 2006 counter-terrorism alliance, and later senator.
Somali National Alliance (SNA)The Somali National Alliance, 1992–2002: how it was formed, its member factions, the war with UNOSOM II, the split with Osman Atto, Hussein Aidid's leadership and its end.
Mohamed Qanyare Afrah (Maxamed Qanyare Afrax)Mohamed Qanyare Afrah (1941–2019): co-founder of the United Somali Congress, Daynile faction leader, security minister, and a leader of the 2006 counter-terrorism alliance.
Somali Democratic Movement (SDM)The Somali Democratic Movement, the Digil and Mirifle movement founded in 1989: its place in the Somali National Alliance, the 1993 Baidoa congress and council, and its successor, the RRA.
Hassan Mohamed Nur 'Shatigadud' (Shaati Gaduud)Hassan Mohamed Nur 'Shatigadud' (1946–2013): chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army, president of the first South West State, and finance minister in the Transitional Federal Government.
Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade (Maxamed Ibraahim Xabsade)Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade (1952–2015): army officer, co-founder and deputy chairman of the Rahanweyn Resistance Army, the 2002 Baidoa split, and his posts in the Transitional Federal Government.
Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI), 1983–1997Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya, 1983–1997: founding, leaders, Bosaso and Luuq, war with Ethiopia, the end of its armed wing, and the people who went on to later movements.
Yusuf Mohamed Siad 'Indha Adde' (Indhacadde)Yusuf Mohamed Siad 'Indha Adde': Lower Shabelle, defence chief of the Islamic Courts in 2006, Hizbul Islam, and state minister for defence in 2009–2010.
Major attacks in Mogadishu, 2009 to 2013The AU base bombing of September 2009, the Shamo Hotel bombing of December 2009, the October 2011 truck bomb and the April 2013 court complex attack in Mogadishu: what happened, the tolls, and who claimed them.
Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a (ASWJ), 1991–2021Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a: Sufi origins, the 2008 turn to arms against al-Shabaab, Ethiopian support, its battles in Galgaduud, deals with the TFG and Galmudug, and 2021.
Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF)The WSLF, 1976 to 1989: its roots in the 1963 rising, founding, leaders, brigades, role in the 1977–78 Ogaden War, the 1980s counter-insurgency, and the birth of the ONLF.
The battles for Kismayo, 2006 to 2012Kismayo's changes of control from 2006 to 2012: the Islamic Courts, the Ethiopian entry of January 2007, the August 2008 battle, the 2009 fighting between al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, and the 2012 Kenyan-led offensive.
Hizbul Islam, 2009–2014Hizbul Islam, 2009–2014: the four founding groups, its leaders, war with al-Shabaab over Kismayo, absorption in 2010, the 2012 break and the turn to politics.
The Hargeisa and Bosaso bombings of 29 October 2008The coordinated suicide bombings in Hargeisa and Bosaso on 29 October 2008: the targets, the death tolls, the reactions, and what is known about who carried them out.
Al-Qaeda's East Africa cell and Somalia, 1998 to 2011Al-Qaeda's East Africa cell and its ties to Somalia: the 1998 embassy bombings, the 2002 Mombasa attacks, and the deaths of Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan in 2009 and Fazul Abdullah Mohammed in 2011.
Ras Kamboni brigades and the Raskamboni movementThe Ras Kamboni brigades and the Raskamboni movement: Hassan al-Turki's group, the 2009 split, Ahmed Madobe, the Kenya alliance, Kismayo in 2012, and Jubaland.
Macawisley: the clan militias of central SomaliaMacawisley, the clan militias of Hiiraan and central Somalia: origins, their part in the 2022 offensive, government support, reported abuses, and the debate over the model.
Ahmed Abdi Godane (Mukhtar Abu Zubeyr)Ahmed Abdi Godane (1977–2014), al-Shabaab's emir 2007–2014: background, rise, the al-Qaeda link, the 2013 purge, Westgate, and his death in a US strike.
Al-Shabaab (Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen), 2006 to nowAl-Shabaab, 2006 to now: origins in the Islamic Courts, aims, territory, money, leaders, attacks, the 2022 offensive, and civilian harm by every party.
Ahmed Diriye (Ahmad Umar Abu Ubaidah)Ahmed Diriye (Abu Ubaidah), al-Shabaab's emir since 2014: background, earlier posts, leadership, designations and public statements, from the sources.
The offensive against al-Shabaab and the Macawisley, 2022–2025The 2022–2025 campaign against al-Shabaab: how the Macawisley clan fighters rose, what was retaken, why the second phase stalled, and al-Shabaab's 2025 return.
Islamic State in Somalia (ISS), 2015 to nowIslamic State in Somalia: origins in 2015, leaders, size estimates by year, Qandala 2016, money networks, US strikes, and Puntland's 2025 Operation Hilaac.
Mukhtar Robow (Abu Mansur)Mukhtar Robow (born 1969): al-Shabaab co-founder and spokesman, his 2013 break and 2017 surrender, the 2018 South West election and arrest, and his role as minister from 2022.
Al-Shabaab: how it is organised, and who has led itAl-Shabaab's structure: emir, councils, departments, regional governors, headquarters by year, leaders and deputies, size estimates over time, and how it raises money.
Hassan Dahir AweysHassan Dahir Aweys (born 1935): army officer, then leader in al-Itihaad, the Islamic Courts, the ARS and Hizbul Islam, his years in al-Shabaab, and his 2013 custody.
Aden Hashi Ayro (Aadan Xaashi Cayroow)Aden Hashi Ayro (c. 1976–2008), first military leader of al-Shabaab: background, the Islamic Courts, the insurgency of 2007, and his death in a US strike.
Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-TurkiHassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki (c. 1944–2015): Ogaden fighter, al-Itihaad leader, founder of the Ras Kamboni Brigade, Islamic Courts commander, and senior al-Shabaab figure.
US air strikes in SomaliaUS air strikes in Somalia since 2007: who they targeted, how often, the 2017 rule change, Amnesty International's 2019 findings, AFRICOM's response and admissions, and the 2025 rise.
Mahad Karate (Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame)Mahad Karate (Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame): earlier career, his role over al-Shabaab's Amniyat and finances, US and UN designations, and the dispute over reports of his death.
The deadliest bombings in Mogadishu: 2017, 2019 and 2022 (Qaraxyadii Muqdisho)The October 2017, December 2019 and October 2022 bombings in Mogadishu: where and how they happened, the death tolls as reported over time, who claimed them, and the responses.
Al-Shabaab's attacks in Uganda and Kenya, 2010 to 2019Al-Shabaab's four deadliest attacks in Uganda and Kenya: Kampala 2010, Westgate 2013, Garissa 2015 and DusitD2 2019, with the tolls, the claims and the questions raised afterwards.
The bomb attack on the president's convoy in Mogadishu, 18 March 2025The 18 March 2025 bomb attack on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's convoy in Mogadishu: what happened, al-Shabaab's claim, the dead, the detention of journalists and the reactions.
Al-Shabaab's attacks during the 2022 elections: Beledweyne and MogadishuAl-Shabaab's attacks on Beledweyne and Mogadishu during the 2022 parliamentary elections: the February restaurant bombing, the March airport attack and the bombings that killed MP Amina Mohamed Abdi.
Abdulqadir Mumin (Cabdiqaadir Muumin)Abdulqadir Mumin: preacher in Sweden and Britain, al-Shabaab figure in Puntland, founder of the Islamic State in Somalia in 2015, and his reported role in the group's wider network.
The French raid on Bulo Marer, January 2013The French DGSE raid on Bulo Marer on 12 January 2013 to free the hostage Denis Allex: the kidnapping, the raid, the dead, US support, al-Shabaab's claims and the Somali government's reaction.
The UN arms embargo on Somalia, 1992–2023The UN arms embargo on Somalia from 1992 to 2023: resolution 733, the sanctions committee and monitoring group, the 2013 easing, the 2023 lifting for the government, and the debate around it.
Al-Shabaab's attacks on Mogadishu hotels, 2015 to 2018Al-Shabaab's attacks on Mogadishu hotels from 2015 to 2018: the Makka al-Mukarama, Sahafi and Dayah hotels, the officials killed, the tolls and the UN's reactions.
Mohamed Said Atom (Maxamed Saciid Atam)Mohamed Said Atom (born 1966): leader of the Galgala armed group in Puntland, the fighting with Puntland forces from 2010, and his 2014 surrender to the federal government.
Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (Fuad Shongole)Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (Fuad Shongole), senior al-Shabaab figure: his years in Sweden, return to Somalia in 2004, public statements, UN sanctions from 2010 and the 2012 US reward.
The 1982 Ethiopian–Somali border war (Dagaalkii xuduudda 1982)The 1982 border war: the Ethiopian and SSDF advance into Mudug and Hiiraan, the fighting at Balanbale and Galdogob, foreign arms, losses as each side reported them, and what followed.
Somali National Movement (SNM), 1981–1991The SNM, 1981–1991: founders, five elected chairmen, how it raised money, the 1983 Mandera raid, the 1988 war in the north, and the road to 18 May 1991.
Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), 1978–2001The SSDF, 1978–2001: the 1978 coup attempt, the 1981 merger in Aden, the 1982 border war, Ethiopian support, splits, and the founding of Puntland.
Somali Democratic Alliance (SDA)The Somali Democratic Alliance, the Gadabuursi movement founded in 1989: its leader, the events around Borama in 1990–92, and its split over Somaliland's independence.
Piracy off Somalia: the groups, the peak and the responsePiracy off Somalia from the 2000s to 2026: why it began, the main networks and bases, ransoms, the naval and onshore response, prosecutions, and the resurgence after 2023.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)The Ogaden National Liberation Front: its founding in 1984, the 1991 elections, the 2007 Abole attack, Ethiopia's counter-insurgency campaign and the 2018 peace agreement.
Deaths in armed conflict in Somalia by year, 1989–2026Reported deaths from armed conflict in Somalia each year from 1989 to 2026, from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, with what each period covers and the limits of the data.

Armed groups and militias

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