COIN Vignettes - Somalia: Understanding your Environment

Table of Contents

• The Somalia experience in 1993
• Prerequisites of an insurgency
• Three distinct phases of the mission
• Roots of the Somali crisis
• Internal fight for power in 1991
• The UN's role and objectives
• The start of the "War"
• US Army Rangers and cultural violations
• Misallocation of resources
• Other factors contributing to the conflict
• Targeting "Tier One Personalities"
• Macro Lessons Learned

Objectives and Key Themes

The main objective of this text is to analyze the US intervention in Somalia in 1993, focusing on the strategic and operational failures that led to significant losses and a deterioration of the situation. It aims to extract key lessons learned regarding understanding the operating environment (ASCOPE-PMESII) and the importance of considering social and political dynamics in military interventions.

• The impact of neglecting the social and political context in military operations.
• The importance of understanding the cultural nuances of the operating environment.
• The consequences of misjudging the enemy's resolve and capabilities.
• The critical role of force protection and adequate resources in conflict zones.
• Analysis of the interplay between tactical success and strategic failure.

Chapter Summaries

The Somalia experience in 1993: This section introduces the 1993 Somalia intervention as a case study in understanding operating environments (ASCOPE-PMESII). It highlights the escalation of the mission despite changing elements and emphasizes the severe lessons learned from disregarding the operational environment, particularly the existing insurgency fueled by 14 years of civil war amongst 14 clans, resulting in a humanitarian crisis. Tactical missteps, such as low-flying helicopters, further aggravated the situation.

Prerequisites of an insurgency: This section identifies two crucial elements of insurgency present in Somalia: clan leadership and a lack of government control. It argues that while the population was vulnerable, operational and tactical missteps alienated them from the Coalition, highlighting the importance of understanding local power structures and avoiding actions perceived as threatening.

Three distinct phases of the mission: This part outlines the three phases of the Somalia intervention: an airlift providing humanitarian aid, an intervention force combining humanitarian assistance with military operations for better security, and a military force leading the first UN peacekeeping operation. It sets the stage for the analysis of the mission's evolution and the subsequent challenges faced.

Roots of the Somali crisis: This section explores the historical context of the Somali crisis, tracing its roots to President Said Barre's socialist government and the armed opposition that began in 1988. It details the tribal divisions within Somalia, emphasizing the significance of clan loyalties and territorial associations, setting the ground for understanding the complex power dynamics at play.

Internal fight for power in 1991: This section details the internal conflict amongst 14 clans following Barre's fall. The power struggle between Aideed's Habar Gidr and Ali Mahdi's Abgall clans for control of resources highlights the absence of a unified Somali leadership and the devastating consequences of this power vacuum, setting the stage for international intervention.

The UN's role and objectives: This section examines the US and UN intervention, starting with the successful food distribution mission. However, the failure to establish a representative Somali leadership sowed the seeds of future conflict. The UN’s aim of imposing a government structure clashed with Somali ideals, increasing the likelihood of conflict and highlighting a disconnect between international goals and local realities.

The start of the "War": This section details the escalation of the conflict, beginning with the ambush and massacre of Pakistani soldiers. The subsequent declaration of Aideed as a rogue element and the US-led attacks against Aideed's targets marked a turning point, exacerbating the conflict and fueling Somali resentment. The attack on the Abdi house, killing both clan members and civilians, was particularly significant in pushing the Somalis against the US and the UN.

US Army Rangers and cultural violations: This section discusses the deployment of US Army Rangers and their actions, which led to increased Somali anger due to cultural violations arising from the use of helicopters. It underscores the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness in military operations.

Misallocation of resources: This part analyzes the misallocation of valuable resources, such as Delta Force and Rangers, for snatch-and-grab missions, highlighting the negative consequences of government policy, inter-service rivalry, and underestimation of the enemy. The section points out a combination of factors which led to significant casualties.

Other factors contributing to the conflict: This section identifies additional contributing factors to the conflict, including remote command and control, lack of urban combat training, equipment failures, inadequate personnel replacements, violated unity of command, and a lack of trust between different units. It emphasizes the importance of proper training, equipment, and inter-unit coordination.

Targeting "Tier One Personalities": This section describes the tactical precision of the mission to capture Aideed, highlighting the sophisticated air and ground elements involved. Despite the tactical success, the section emphasizes the strategic and operational failure of the mission resulting from a disregard for the broader political and social context.

Macro Lessons Learned: This concluding section summarizes the key lessons learned, emphasizing the misreading of the social dimensions of political and military objectives, inadequate force protection, the impact of the UN's goals and the Somalis' perception of a personal vendetta, and the condescending attitude of American forces. The attack on the Abdi house is highlighted as a significant turning point.

Keywords

Somalia, US intervention, 1993, ASCOPE-PMESII, insurgency, clan conflict, humanitarian crisis, military operations, cultural sensitivity, force protection, strategic failure, tactical success, UN peacekeeping, political objectives, humanitarian aid, tribal loyalties, power dynamics, lessons learned, operating environment.

Frequently Asked Questions: US Intervention in Somalia 1993

What is the main objective of this text?

The main objective is to analyze the US intervention in Somalia in 1993, focusing on the strategic and operational failures that led to significant losses and a deterioration of the situation. It aims to extract key lessons learned regarding understanding the operating environment (ASCOPE-PMESII) and the importance of considering social and political dynamics in military interventions.

What are the key themes explored in the text?

Key themes include the impact of neglecting the social and political context in military operations; the importance of understanding cultural nuances; the consequences of misjudging enemy resolve and capabilities; the critical role of force protection and adequate resources; and the interplay between tactical success and strategic failure.

What are the three distinct phases of the Somalia intervention outlined in the text?

The three phases are: 1) an airlift providing humanitarian aid; 2) an intervention force combining humanitarian assistance with military operations for better security; and 3) a military force leading the first UN peacekeeping operation.

What were the roots of the Somali crisis?

The crisis is traced back to President Said Barre's socialist government and the armed opposition that began in 1988. Tribal divisions, clan loyalties, and territorial associations are highlighted as significant factors.

What role did the UN play in the Somalia intervention?

The UN aimed to impose a government structure, but this clashed with Somali ideals, increasing the likelihood of conflict and highlighting a disconnect between international goals and local realities. The initial success of food distribution was ultimately undermined by this mismatch.

What factors contributed to the escalation of the conflict?

Key factors include the ambush and massacre of Pakistani soldiers; the declaration of Aideed as a rogue element and subsequent US-led attacks; the attack on the Abdi house; and cultural violations by US forces.

What were some of the operational and strategic failures of the US intervention?

Failures included misallocation of resources, remote command and control, lack of urban combat training, equipment failures, inadequate personnel replacements, violated unity of command, a lack of trust between different units, and a disregard for the broader political and social context. The misreading of the social dimensions of political and military objectives and a condescending attitude of American forces are also highlighted.

What are the key lessons learned from the Somalia intervention?

Key lessons include the critical importance of understanding the operating environment (ASCOPE-PMESII), the need for cultural sensitivity, the importance of adequate force protection, and the necessity of aligning international goals with local realities. The text emphasizes the severe consequences of ignoring the social and political dynamics of the conflict zone.

What were the prerequisites of the insurgency in Somalia?

Two crucial elements were identified: clan leadership and a lack of government control. The text argues that operational and tactical missteps alienated the vulnerable population from the Coalition.

What specific tactical and strategic aspects are discussed in the text?

The text discusses the tactical precision of the mission to capture Aideed, highlighting sophisticated air and ground elements. However, it emphasizes the strategic and operational failure resulting from disregarding the broader political and social context. The use of low-flying helicopters and the misallocation of resources such as Delta Force and Rangers are also analyzed.