The Timeline of Somalia


First 5: Who are the invisible children?
Objectives: To establish an understanding
of the History of Somalia and the events
related to Black Hawk Down
The Sultanate of Adel (600s)

During the 600s, Arab tribes explored
Somalia and established the Sultanate of
Adel on the Aden Coast. The settlement of
the tribes brought Islam into the Adel region.
This was significant because the majority of
Somalians today are Sunni Muslim.
Young Somalian Muslims
in the 1930's
Britain takes control of Somalia
(1882)

In 1882, Britain started to take interest in the Gulf
of Aden because they wanted to safeguard the
route to India which ran through the Suez Canal.
However, it was not until 1887, that Britain
declared it as a protectorate of the British empire.
They were the first European power in the region
and called it British Somaliland.
A Map of the Horn
of Africa
Britain abandons and the Italians
takeover (1936)

Throughout Britain's colonial rule, Britain had
trouble controlling rebel uprisings. In 1920, the
rebels were finally quelled. However, Britain
started losing some of their territory to the Italians.
And in 1936, Italy merged Italian Somaliland,
Eritrea, and Ethiopia. They colonized and called it
Italian East Africa.
The green regions
represents Italian
East Africa
Somalia's road to Independence
(1960)

During World War II, the Italians successfully
invaded British Somaliland in 1940. However,
the British recovered their protectorate a year
later. After the World War, Italy had to renounce
their territorial possessions but a UN deal was
struck which allowed an Italian administration to
govern the country in November 1949. Finally,
on July 1, 1960, the UN Trusteeship Council
merged the British and Italian parts and granted
The Flag of Somalia
independence.
Somalia's First President is elected
(1960)
Immediately after gaining independence, Aden
Abdullah Osman Daar was elected President. In
1963, Somalia severed diplomatic ties with Britain
and had hostile border disputes with Ethiopia. Then
in 1967, Abdirashid Ali Shermake beats Abdullah
Osman Daar in the elections and becomes the 2nd
president. But on October 15, 1969, Shermake was
assassinated. Shermake's death triggered a military
coup led by Major General Mohammed Siad Barre.

Somalia's 1st
President:
Aden
Abdullah
Osman Daar
Somalia's 2nd
President:
Abdirashid Ali
Shermarke
Somalia's 3rd
President:
Mohamed
Siad Barre
Somalia Turns Socialist (1970)

In 1970, Siad Barre took over the government
through a military coup. He was immediately
declared president bythe Supreme
Revolutionary Council (SRC). Barre then
declared the country a socialist state and
nationalized all of the country's industries.
Political parties were banned, the national
council was abolished and the constituition was
suspended.
A Picture of Siad Barre in Socialist
Somalia.
Somalia invades Ogaden Region
(1977)

In 1977, Somalia invaded the Ogaden
region of Ethiopia. They were intially
victorious. However, in 1978, with the
aid of the USSR and Cuba, the
Ethiopians reclaimed the region after
Somali troops suffered heavy losses.
Barre immediately banished the Soviet
advisors and gained the support of the
United States. The conflict also caused
many refugees to flock into Somalia.
The Ogaden Region
Somalia enters into Civil War
(1981)

In 1981, Barre's opposition began to rise.
This was because Barre had picked
members of his Marehan clan for
government positions and had excluded the
other clans. Civil unrest started growing and
rebels started clashing with government
troops. By 1989, the government had lost
control of many parts of Somalia except
Mogadishu, Hargeysa and Berbera.
A picture of a Somalian soldier
attempting to quell the revolution.
Barre is ousted (1990)

By 1989, Barre had started to lose control of
the country. By 1990, the insurgent groups
had formed a united front against Barre.
Finally, in 1991, Barre was forced to leave
the capital of Mogadishu and he was
granted asylum in Lagos, Nigeria. He
eventually died in Lagos in 1995.
Somalian rebels finally immerge
victorious.
Somalia attempts to establish
transitional government (1991)

After Barre was ousted, the United States
and many international agencies flooded
Somalia with humanitarian aid and supplies.
In 1992, a contigent of UN peacekeeping
troops made up of US Marines arrive near
Mogadishu. Although Somalia received lots
of aid, the country was experiencing a power
struggle between warlords. During this time,
about 50,000 people were killed and
300,000 died of starvation.
Young Somalians greeting peackeeping
forces.
Somaliland Declares independence
(1991)

In addition to the power struggles experienced in
Somalia, former British Somaliland declares its
independence in 1991. Although it has its own
currency, legislature and constitution, Somaliland is
not recognized as a republic by the United Nations.
Somaliland also struggles with civil unrest and
economic stagnation and Southern Somaliland
warlords have attempted to overtake the region.
A modern day map of
Somalia and Somaliland
Black Hawk Down (1993)

In 1993, US Army Rangers were killed after
2 Blackhawk helicopters were shotdown.
The Battle of Mogadishu ensued. A rescue
attempt had been planned however, it
failed. After the Battle, the United States
immediately withdrew from Somalia after 18
Rangers died. The battle also caused many
civilian casualties and made the United
Nations to retreat.
Black Hawk Down
Synopsis

The movie Black Hawk Down is about when the warlord Mohammed Farrah
Aidid began to starve people to gain power in the early 90s. In total Aidid
starved over 300,000 Somalis to death by seizing food shipments sent in by the
red cross and other aid organizations. After this the U.S sent in Army Rangers to
capture Mohammed Farrah Aidid and his officials. The mission required black
hawk helicopters as transport to Aidid’s stronghold, in the middle of Mogadishu,
Somalia. While the soldiers were unloading from the helicopters 2 Black Hawk
helicopters were shot down by Rocket propelled grenades (RPG). In an attempt
to rescue the crash victims and capture Aidid the Rangers become overwhelmed
by the Somali Militia. After taking 20 prisoners and taking two days, 18 U.S
soldiers are killed and nearly 1,000 Somalis are killed. Two of the soldiers were
violently dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. One helicopter pilot is
kidnapped and returned 11 days later. President Clinton called the Mission a
failure.
Research Synopsis

On October 3rd 1993 Army Rangers are sent into the Bakarra
market district of Mogadishu, Somalia to capture Mohammed
Farah Aidid. The reason for wanting to capture the Warlord is
because in order to gain power he was starving the people of
Somalia who destroyed there food supply in a previous civil
war. The U.N and Red cross send food and medical supplies
by the ton to Somalia but Aidid and his militia seize all of it at
the ports so it doesn’t get to the people. This causes the
death of over 300,000 Somalis while millions more are
starving. This angers the world and the U.S sends Army
rangers to capture Aidid and his men. The rangers capture 20
of Aidid's men but lose two Black Hawk helicopters to RPG
attacks. After several failed rescue attempts the soldiers
become overwhelmed by Aidids Militia. In the end 18
American are dead with one taken hostage. Over 1,000
Somalis die with over 743 inured. The hostage Mike Durant is
treated well in captivity and released 11 days later.
How It was historically accurate

In the beginning

Each event was almost exactly detailed
like in real life. In the beginning of the
movie in the first scene when The
Rangers are dropped in Mogadishu was
put together almost perfectly from
when the soldier fell from the helicopter
to when the first Black Hawk Helicopter
was shot down by an RPG.
Is Black Hawk Down Historically Accurate?

Is Black Hawk down
historically accurate? Yes
Black Hawk down is
historically accurate. Only
very minor details were
changed or left out. The exact
locations and areas were
correct such as there target
building and other
landmarks near it. You can
see the alleyway near the
building in this picture. The
weapons and visual
representation of the Somali
Militia were accurate as well
as the graphic injuries and
wounds of the soldiers.
The Battle of Mogadishu
The most important details that were
covered correctly were the actions
of the soldiers. When they were
finally rescued was a very crucial
part of the movie. The way the
U.N was portrayed was accurate
because they did not stay to help
the soldiers run from the crazed,
enraged Somali militia. Another
way that the movie was accurate
is when they finally escape the
hostile area and meat crowds of
cheering Somalis in the streets. It
was the only positive outcome of
the whole situation.
A picture of the Black Hawk
Crew a month before the
Battle of Mogadishu
A US Army Blackhawk flying
over Mogadishu
nd
2 Attempt
Somalia's
at
establishing a government (2000)

In 2000, a conference was held in
Djibouti to help establish a new
Somalian central government. The
conference was attended by warlords,
politicians and clan leaders. After the
conference, Abdulkassim Salat Hassan
was elected president and Ali Khalif
Gelayadh was elected Prime Minister.
However the government failed to
extend its control beyond Mogadishu.
rmer President of
Somalia: Abdulkassim
Salat Hassan
Former Prime Minister of
Somalia: Ali Khalif
Galaydh
Somalia tries again again to form a
National Government (2004)

After the failures of the previous government, a
mandate was passed that gave power to a new
centralized Federal government. Abdullahi Yussuf,
who was backed by the Ethiopians, was elected the
new president. Then in the December 2004, the
tsunami hit the coast of Somalia and killed
thousands of Somalians. There have been many
attempts to establish a government but they have
been proved to be ineffective.
The Effects of the Tsunami
in Somalia
A picture parodying the
lawlessness that haave
plagued Somalia
Piracy in Somalia (2008)

After numerous attempts at setting up a
government, Somalia is left at the state of
anarchy. A combination of power struggles,
famine, violence and civil unrest have left
Somalia in a crippled state. In 2008, pirate
activity runs rampant in the Gulf of Aden.
Many shipping ships were hijacked and held
for ransom. Overfishing off the coast of
Somalia is one of the reasons piracy has
been on the rise.
Somali Pirates in action
Works Cited
“Somalia Timeline.” Telegraph News. 30 Dec. 2006. 3 Feb.
2009
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1538113/Som
alia-time-line.html>.
“Timeline :Somalia.” Al Jazeera English. 31 Jan. 2009. 3 Feb.
2009
<http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2009/01/200912621
2443542421.html>.
“Timeline: Somalia.” BBC World News. 2 Feb. 2009. 3 Feb.
2009 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1072611.stm>.
"Somalia," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2008
<http://encarta.msn.com> © 1997-2008 Microsoft
Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Black Hawk Down

Final 5: Top 2 Choices for research
Synopsis

The movie Black Hawk Down is about when the warlord Mohammed Farrah
Aidid began to starve people to gain power in the early 90s. In total Aidid
starved over 300,000 Somalis to death by seizing food shipments sent in by the
red cross and other aid organizations. After this the U.S sent in Army Rangers to
capture Mohammed Farrah Aidid and his officials. The mission required black
hawk helicopters as transport to Aidid’s stronghold, in the middle of Mogadishu,
Somalia. While the soldiers were unloading from the helicopters 2 Black Hawk
helicopters were shot down by Rocket propelled grenades (RPG). In an attempt
to rescue the crash victims and capture Aidid the Rangers become overwhelmed
by the Somali Militia. After taking 20 prisoners and taking two days, 18 U.S
soldiers are killed and nearly 1,000 Somalis are killed. Two of the soldiers were
violently dragged through the streets of Mogadishu. One helicopter pilot is
kidnapped and returned 11 days later. President Clinton called the Mission a
failure.
Research Synopsis

On October 3rd 1993 Army Rangers are sent into the Bakarra
market district of Mogadishu, Somalia to capture Mohammed
Farah Aidid. The reason for wanting to capture the Warlord is
because in order to gain power he was starving the people of
Somalia who destroyed there food supply in a previous civil
war. The U.N and Red cross send food and medical supplies
by the ton to Somalia but Aidid and his militia seize all of it at
the ports so it doesn’t get to the people. This causes the
death of over 300,000 Somalis while millions more are
starving. This angers the world and the U.S sends Army
rangers to capture Aidid and his men. The rangers capture 20
of Aidid's men but lose two Black Hawk helicopters to RPG
attacks. After several failed rescue attempts the soldiers
become overwhelmed by Aidids Militia. In the end 18
American are dead with one taken hostage. Over 1,000
Somalis dye with over 743 inured. The hostage Mike Durant is
treated well in captivity and released 11 days later.
How It was historically accurate

In the beginning

Each event was almost exactly detailed
like in real life. In the beginning of the
movie in the first scene when The
Rangers are dropped in Mogadishu was
put together almost perfectly from
when the soldier fell from the helicopter
to when the first Black Hawk Helicopter
was shot down by an RPG.
Is Black Hawk Down Historically Accurate?

Is Black Hawk down
historically accurate? Yes
Black Hawk down is
historically accurate. Only
very minor details were
changed or left out. The exact
locations and areas were
correct such as there target
building and other
landmarks near it. You can
see the alleyway near the
building in this picture. The
weapons and visual
representation of the Somali
Militia were accurate as well
as the graphic injuries and
wounds of the soldiers.
The Battle of Mogadishu
The most important details that were
covered correctly were the actions
of the soldiers. When they were
finally rescued was a very crucial
part of the movie. The way the
U.N was portrayed was accurate
because they did not stay to help
the soldiers run from the crazed,
enraged Somali militia. Another
way that the movie was accurate
is when they finally escape the
hostile area and meat crowds of
cheering Somalis in the streets. It
was the only positive outcome of
the whole situation.
CONCLUSION

The film Black Hawk
Down is a very good film.
There is a lot of action
and that’s never boring. I
learned a lot about the
Battle of Mogadishu from
watching this movie and
doing research. I never
knew that so many
people starved to death
because of Aidid. I
thought this assignment
was pretty chill.