SUMMARY
The violence in this non-state conflict stems from a split within the SNF (Somali National Front). The result of the split was the forming of the SNF – MSAB (Somali National Front/ Mohamed Sheikh Ali Buraleh faction) faction. The SNF – MSAB faction was led by Mohamed Sheikh Ali Buraleh. The reason for the split was that SNF’s chairman Gen. Omar Haji Msaleh lined up with Hussein Aydeed and USC/SNA (United Somali Congress/Somali National Alliance). This was not tolerable to a portion of the organization that consequently split from the SNF forming the SNF – MSAB faction. The split was not well received within the organization and soon violence between the former brothers in arms erupted.
Soon after the split SNF – MSAB allegedly received support from Ethiopian forces as they fought SNF over control of towns and villages in the Gedo region in southern Somalia, bordering Ethiopia. The fighting was confined to four events that took place between April and September 1999. A majority of the deaths were recorded in two events, in September, in which the two rival militias fought over control of the southern town Garbaharrey, 350 km (200 miles) west of the capital Mogadishu. Control of the town switched between the groups and over thirty people lost their lives during two events of violence in five days. The armaments employed by SNF were rather advanced and witnesses reported of machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and assault rifles being used by SNF. SNF – MSAB on the other hand was not as well equipped, even though they were supported by Ethiopia. Due to the superior fire-power, SNF managed to force SNF – MSAB from Garbaharrey, they reportedly retreated to the town of Luq where Ethiopian forces were in control. Eye-witnesses claimed that no Ethiopian forces engaged in the fighting.
After the defeat at Garbaharrey SNF – MSAB did not engage in any violence that crossed the threshold of 25 battle-related deaths and are therefore not included in UCDP data after 1999.
The non-state conflict between SNF – MSAB and SNF is first included in UCDP data in 1999. In September of that year clashes resulted in over 25 battle-related deaths.
