SUMMARY
SNM (Somali National Movement) was an armed group formed in London by members of the Isaaq clan diaspora. The group was formed in 1981 and had as its aim to topple the Siad Barre regime that was currently holding power in Somalia. After its inception, SNM set up bases in neighboring Ethiopia from where they conducted guerilla style operations across the border in Somalia. As Somalia was entangled with Ethiopia in a conflict regarding, amongst other things, the region of Ogaden and to whom it belonged, SNM was able to enjoy a safe haven within Ethiopia, as the Ethiopian regime did not oppose the idea of cross border guerilla attacks launched from within Ethiopia.
When a peace accord was signed between Somalia and Ethiopia in 1988, these dynamics changed. Ironically, the improved relations between Ethiopia and Somalia meant that SNM moved their operations to Somalia, as Ethiopia no longer supported their operations. As SNM no longer enjoyed the safe havens in Ethiopia, they began attacking Somali government forces in Somalia at a larger scale than previously. SNM was largely successful in its battle against the government forces, and as SNM gained in strength a large number of government forces began deserting and joining their cause. SNM benefitted from the feelings of betrayal that the Ogaden population felt after the Barre regime ceased the hostilities with Ethiopia. Many Ogaden people had been enlisted with the Somali National Army, but as they lost trust in Barre, they changed sides and joined SNM in its campaign to oust him. This influx of manpower combined with strategic alliances with other groups in opposition to Barre, most notably the United Somali Congress (USC), led to the overthrow of Siad Barre and the beginning of a turbulent period marred by clan-based fighting over power in Somalia. SNM for their part focused on the former British Somaliand northern region. They established control of the area and declared it as the independent republic of Somaliland.
SNM did also experience internal rifts as a faction broke loose from SNM and became SNM - 'Calan cas' advocating a leftist campaign based on training the group had received in the Soviet bloc, during the 1980s.
With the declaration of independence for Somaliland, SNM by and large ceased their violent campaign. Somaliland is not recognized by the government in Mogadishu, and is regarded as a part of Somalia for all intents and purposes. Despite this SNM has not resurfaced and been involved in organized violence since the early nineties. SNM did change its leadership over time and the leadership, as well as a majority of the members of the group, were members of the Isaaq clan. The leader who led the campaign to oust Barre was Abdirahman Ahmed Ali Tur, who after fighting to topple Barre returned to Somaliland and became the first President of the newly proclaimed Somaliland polity, a position he held until 1993.
