For decades, Somalia has been mired in violence, political instability, and food insecurity. The country’s struggles have persisted despite numerous international interventions, including the ill-fated 1993 US-led mission that ended with the infamous Battle of Mogadishu. Thirty years later, Somalia remains trapped in a cycle of conflict and humanitarian crises, with famine looming once again.
In the early 1990s, Somalia was in the grip of a devastating civil war, which severely disrupted food supplies and plunged millions into famine. The United Nations (UN) sought to intervene with the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM), which was established in 1992 to provide aid and stability. However, warlords controlling different parts of the country, particularly in Mogadishu, made aid distribution nearly impossible.
To reinforce UN efforts, the United States launched Operation Restore Hope in December 1992 under President George H.W. Bush. The mission aimed to ensure that food aid reached the people, but it soon became embroiled in conflict with Somali warlord Mohammad Farah Aidid, who controlled much of the capital.
What started as a humanitarian effort evolved into a military confrontation, culminating in the Battle of Mogadishu on October 3-4, 1993. In what was meant to be a quick raid to capture Aidid’s top commanders, US special forces found themselves trapped in a deadly urban battle. Somali fighters, using Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), shot down two Black Hawk helicopters, setting off a desperate rescue operation.
For 17 hours, American troops fought against thousands of Somali militiamen in one of the most intense urban battles since the Vietnam War. By the time the dust settled, 18 US soldiers were dead, 73 were wounded, and hundreds of Somali fighters and civilians were killed. The images of a dead American soldier being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu were broadcast worldwide, deeply affecting US public opinion.
Four days later, President Bill Clinton announced a withdrawal of US forces from Somalia. By March 1994, American troops had left entirely, and in 1995, the UN peacekeeping mission also ended in failure.
The Battle of Mogadishu had profound effects on US foreign policy. The humiliating withdrawal discouraged future military interventions in Africa, leading to the infamous US inaction during the Rwandan Genocide in 1994. It also shaped America’s approach to counterterrorism, influencing later military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Despite the intervention’s failure, the humanitarian crisis in Somalia never truly ended. Decades later, the country remains one of the poorest and most unstable nations in the world, with a government that struggles to assert control beyond Mogadishu. Warlords and terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab continue to dominate large swaths of the country, further complicating international aid efforts.
Three decades after the battle, Somalia is once again on the brink of famine. The country is facing one of the worst droughts in its history, exacerbated by climate change, economic instability, and ongoing conflict. According to the World Food Program (WFP), an estimated 1.7 million children under five will suffer from acute malnutrition by the end of 2025, with nearly 500,000 at risk of severe malnutrition.
“Somalia is experiencing a perfect storm of crises,” said Cindy McCain, executive director of the WFP, in a recent statement. “Conflict, climate change, and rising global food prices have pushed millions to the brink of starvation.”
A report by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) warns that without urgent international assistance, Somalia could see famine conditions similar to those of 2011, when 260,000 people—half of them children—died due to starvation.
Unlike in the early 1990s, when warlords were the primary obstacle to aid distribution, Somalia’s food crisis today is largely driven by Al-Shabaab, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group that controls much of southern and central Somalia.
For years, Al-Shabaab has blocked humanitarian aid deliveries, attacked aid workers, and extorted food supplies to maintain control over local populations. The group’s tactics have made it extremely difficult for international organizations to provide assistance to those most in need.
“People are starving not just because of drought, but because armed groups are deliberately preventing food from reaching them,” said a Somali aid worker who requested anonymity due to security concerns.
The United Nations and international NGOs have repeatedly called on all parties to allow humanitarian access, but progress has been slow. The Somali government, backed by African Union forces and US drone strikes, has intensified military campaigns against Al-Shabaab, but the conflict has only added to the suffering of civilians.
In response to the worsening crisis, the United States, the European Union, and the UN have pledged millions in humanitarian aid. The Biden administration has provided over $1 billion in assistance to Somalia in the last two years, but aid agencies warn that funding alone won’t solve the crisis.
“The world is failing Somalia again,” said David Beasley, former WFP chief. “We saw this happen in 1992, in 2011, and now in 2025. The international community waits until people start dying in large numbers before acting.”
The UN’s $2.6 billion humanitarian appeal for Somalia in 2024 remains underfunded, with only a fraction of the needed resources available. Aid agencies argue that a long-term solution must include both emergency relief and sustainable development efforts, including investment in agriculture, water infrastructure, and conflict resolution initiatives.
Despite the grim situation, there are signs of resilience. Somalia’s economy, though fragile, has shown growth in sectors like telecommunications, agriculture, and remittances from the Somali diaspora. The government has also made progress in regaining control over key regions, and efforts to hold democratic elections continue.
However, without lasting security and political stability, humanitarian efforts will remain a temporary fix. The Battle of Mogadishu serves as a stark reminder that military interventions alone cannot solve Somalia’s deep-rooted problems.
