Factions in the Somali Civil War

Over the course of the Somali Civil War, there have been many revolutionary movements and militia groups run by competing rebel leaders which have held de facto control over vast areas within Somalia.

Both SSDF and SNM leaders met in Ethiopia’s capital in September 1987 to unite and devise a plan to topple Siad Barre’s regime but they failed to agree on a common strategy.

Isaaq tribe members had founded the movement in 1981 as emigres to London with the express purpose of overthrowing the Barre regime.

By 1988, the SNM moved out of their camps in Ethiopia and began operating in northern Somali republic, the area now known as Somaliland.

Dir The Isaaq and Dhulbahante -dominated northern region of Somalia declared its independence in 1991, but has not been recognized by any country or international organization as a sovereign nation.

Loyalists to Siad Barre and Ahmed Ali, the remnants of his army forces founded the SNF militia after his ouster from office.

(also called Somali Asal Muki Organization) Some of the tribes living the jubba and shabelle river banks[8] A political party that was active in the 1960s but was forced into dissolution during the Barre regime.

In time, new factions emerged as the Somali Civil War entered a new phase: disintegration into independent and autonomous states.