Propaganda in the War in Somalia (2006–2009)

Even before the beginning of the War in Somalia (2006-2009) there were significant assertions and accusations of the use of disinformation and propaganda tactics, classed as forms of information warfare, by various parties to shape the causes and course of the conflict.

"[1] Muslims also were considered to believe US claims of Al Qaeda activity was part of a propaganda campaign waged by Washington: In her most blunt assessment yet, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer last week accused the Islamic council of being controlled by "East Africa Al Qaeda cell individuals."

Islamists dismiss such allegations as Western propaganda, though some concede that the council is struggling to strike a balance between its moderate and fundamentalist factions.

On July 1, 2006, a Web-posted audio message purportedly recorded by Osama bin Laden urged Somalis to build an Islamic state in the country, and warned all nations that his al Qaeda network would fight against them if they intervened there.

[4][5] Eritrea even claims the assertions it has troops involved in Somalia is part of a disinformation campaign being waged against it by Ethiopia.

[6] Once the TFG and Ethiopian troops advanced into areas previously controlled by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), there were allegation of rape, robbery and massacre committed by the Ethiopian troops which the TFG claimed were false accusations by ICU supporters for the consumption of Human Rights organizations.

[20] The Iran state funded news agency, Press TV,[21] has been accused of spreading propaganda by Ethiopians, using the term "intentional errors" to describe reporting on several issues from a pro-Insurgent point of view, a claim taken up by many media organizations in the west.