View source for Somalia

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{{Infobox Country or territory
|native_name              = {{lang|so|''Soomaaliya''}}<br/> {{rtl-lang|ar|الصومال}} <br/>Somalia
|common_name              = Somalia
|image_flag               = Flag of Somalia.svg
|image_coat               = Coat of arms of Somalia.png
|national_motto           = Aden Jama Ibrahim <!-- language? {{lang|??|Aden Jama Ibrahim}} -->
|image_map                = LocationSomalia.png
|national_anthem          = {{lang|so|''Soomaaliyeey Toosoow''}}
|official_languages       = [[Somali language|Somali]], [[Arabic]]
|government_type          = [[Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic|Transitional Federal Government]]
|leader_title1            = [[President of Somalia|President]]
|leader_title2            = [[Prime Minister of Somalia|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name1             = [[Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed]]
|leader_name2             = [[Ali Mohammed Ghedi]]
|capital                  = [[Mogadishu]]
|latd=2 |latm=02 |latNS=N |longd=45 |longm=21 |longEW=E
|largest_city             = Mogadishu
|area                     = 637,657
|areami²                  = 246,201 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_rank                = 42nd
|area_magnitude           = 1 E11
|percent_water            = 1.6
|population_estimate      = 8,228,000
|population_estimate_year = July 2005
|population_estimate_rank = 91st
|population_census        = 7,114,431
|population_census_year   = 1987
|population_density       = 13
|population_densitymi²    = 34 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank  = 198th
|GDP_PPP_year             = 2005
|GDP_PPP                  = $4.809 billion <!--CIA-->
|GDP_PPP_rank             = <small>not ranked</small>
|GDP_PPP_per_capita       = 600
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank  = <small>not ranked</small>
|HDI_year                 = 2003
|HDI                      = n/a
|HDI_rank                 = unranked
|HDI_category             = <font color="gray">n/a</font>
|sovereignty_type         = [[Independence]]
|sovereignty_note         = from the [[United Kingdom|UK]] and [[Italy]]
|established_event1       = Date
|established_date1        = [[July 1]] [[1960]]
|cctld                    = [[.so]]
|calling_code             = 252
|time_zone                = [[East Africa Time|EAT]]
|utc_offset               = +3
|time_zone_DST            = ''not observed''
|utc_offset_DST           = +3
|currency                 = [[Somali shilling]]
|currency_code            = SOS
|footnotes                = 
}}
'''Somalia''' ({{lang-so|''Soomaaliya''}}; {{lang-ar|الصومال}} {{ArTranslit|''aṣ-Ṣūmāl''}}),officially the '''Somali Republic''' ({{lang-so|''Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya''}}, {{lang-ar|جمهورية  الصومال}} {{ArTranslit|''Jumhūriyyat aṣ-Ṣūmāl''}}) and formerly known as the '''Somali Democratic Republic''', is located on the [[Horn of Africa]] in [[East Africa]]. It is bordered by [[Ethiopia]] to the west, [[Djibouti]] to the north-west, [[Kenya]] on its south-west, and the [[Gulf of Aden]] on its north, and  the [[Indian Ocean]] at its east. The Somali [[state]] currently exists solely in a ''[[de jure]]'' capacity; Somalia has no recognized central government authority nor any other feature associated with an established independent state. [[De facto]] authority resides in the hands of the governments for the unrecognized entities of [[Somaliland]], [[Puntland]], the [[Supreme Islamic Courts Council]] (SICC) and the [[United Nations]]-recognized, interim [[Transitional Federal Government]] (TFG) until recently just in [[Baidoa]] about 260 kilometers north-west of the capital [[Mogadishu]]. Violence has plagued Somalia since [[warlord]]s ousted former Supreme President [[Siad Barre|Mohamed Siad Barre ]] in 1991.
==History==
{{main|History of Somalia}}

===Pre-colonial times===

Somalia has been continuously inhabited by numerous and varied ethnic groups, some of Italian or Yemenite ancestry, but the majority are [[Somali people|Somalis]], for the last 2,500 years. In late antiquity, the northern part of Somali ([[Somaliland]]) was part of the [[Kingdom of Aksum]] from about the 3rd century to the 7th. By the [[Early Middle Ages|early medieval period]] (A.D.&nbsp;700&ndash;A.D.&nbsp;1200), [[Islam]] became firmly established especially with the founding of [[Mogadishu]] in A.D.&nbsp;900  The late medieval period (A.D.&nbsp;1201-A.D.&nbsp;1500) saw the rise of numerous Somali city-states and kingdoms. In northwestern Somalia (unrecognized [[Somaliland]], especially its western part), the [[Adal Sultanate|Sultanate of Adal]] (a multi-ethnic state comprised of [[Afar people|Afars]], [[Somali people|Somalis]] and [[Harari]]s) rose around western Somaliland and eastern Ethiopia in the 13th century, before being dominated by its more powerful western neighbor, [[Ifat]] in Eastern Ethiopia, which would itself become a [[vassal]] of Ethiopia in the early 14th century. With its capital at [[Zeila]] (also later in [[Dakkar, Ethiopia|Dakkar]] and then [[Harar]], both in Ethiopia), Adal inherited Ifat's former possessions in the early 15th century. In either 1403 or 1415, under either [[Emperor of Ethiopia|Emperor]] [[Dawit I of Ethiopia]] or Emperor [[Yeshaq I of Ethiopia|Yeshaq]], a rebellion of Ifat was put down that resulted in the sack of Zeila and the exile of the ruling [[Walashma dynasty]] of Ifat, which would take the new title of "King of Adal." The The exiled family returned soon after its exile, and the 15th and early 16th century were marked by sporadic rebellions by Adal until the rise of [[Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi]] in the 1520s, who lead a successful rebellion and conquest of three-fourths of Ethiopia before being defeated by a joint Ethiopian-[[Portugal|Portuguese]] force at the [[Battle of Wayna Daga]] on [[February 21]], [[1543]]. Following the collapse of Adal, the early modern period (1543-1883) in Somalia saw the growth and gradual rise of many successor city states such as the Sultanate of Geledi and the Sultanate of Hobyo. The modern period began when the clouds of colonial conquest gathered in 1884.

===Colonial period===

The year 1884 ended a long period of comparative peace. At the Berlin Conference of 1884, the [[Scramble for Africa]] started the long and bloody process of the imperial partition of Somali lands. The French, British and Italians came to Somalia in the late 19th century. 

The British claimed [[British Somaliland]] as a protectorate in 1886 after the withdrawal of Egypt, which sought to prevent European colonial expansion in Northeast Africa. The southern area, claimed by Italy in 1889, became known as [[Italian Somaliland]]. The northernmost stretch became part of the French Territory of [[Afar]]s and [[Issa]]s, also known as [[French Somaliland]], until it later achieved independence as [[Djibouti]].

The [[Somali War of Colonial Resistance]] (1898&ndash;1920) was led by Somali poet, scholar and statesman, [[Mohammed Abdullah Hassan]]. The war ended with the [[RAF]]'s bombing of the Sayid's fort, with massive loss of civilian and military life on the Somali side.

=== World War II ===

[[Fascist Italy]] under the dictatorship of [[Benito Mussolini]] tried to pursue its colonialist expansion policy and attacked Abyssinia (now [[Ethiopia]]) in 1935. The invasion was condemned by the [[League of Nations]], but little was done to stop Italian military and industrial build-up. Abyssinia was occupied, and the government of [[Emperor Haile Selassie I]] was exiled to the U.K. In England, the Ethiopian Emperor appealed to the international community. Little was done to liberate occupied Ethiopia. Britain would regret the failure of it and its allies to impose sanctions on Italy.
 
In August 1940, Italian troops crossed the Ethiopian border and [[The Italian Invasion of British Somaliland#The Italian Invasion of British Somaliland|invaded British Somalia]] to take the colony from the [[United Kingdom]]. The invasion was launched on [[August 3]], and concluded with the taking of [[Berbera]] on [[August 14]].

The British launched a [[The Italian Invasion of British Somaliland#Southern front|campaign in January 1942]] from Kenya to liberate [[Italian Somaliland]], [[British Somaliland]] and Italian-occupied [[Ethiopia]], again with many Somalis being incorporated to fight a war led by foreigners. By February, most of Italian Somaliland was captured. In March, British Somaliland was retaken by a sea invasion.

In 1949 the U.N. gave Somalia as a protectorate to Italy until it achieved independence in 1960. The Ogaden province of Somalia was given to the now repatriated Ethiopian government. Britain kept British Somaliland (now Somaliland or northern Somalia) under its colonial rule. The French too kept Djibouti under colonial administration, and Djibouti would not gain independence until 1977. Though Somalis and other Africans fought hard on the Allied side in World War Two, soon after the conflict, they were resubjugated. The bitterness of lost hope strengthened the long struggle against colonialism, and in most parts in Africa, including Somalia, independence movements and liberation struggles sprang up.

===1960s–1990s===
[[Image:siadb.gif |thumb|150px|right|[[Mohamed Siad Barre]], President of Somalia, 1969–1991.]]

The independence of the [[British Somaliland Protectorate]] from the [[United Kingdom]] was proclaimed on [[26 June]] [[1960]].  On [[1 July]] [[1960]], unification of the [[British Empire|British]] and ex-[[Italian Somaliland]] took place. The government was formed by Abdullahi Issa. [[Aden Abdullah Osman Daar]] was appointed as [[President of Somalia|President]] and [[Abdirashid Ali Shermarke]] as [[Prime Minister of Somalia|Prime Minister]]. Later, in 1967, Mohammed [[Ibrahim Egal]] became Prime Minister in the government appointed by Abdirishid Ali Shermarke. Egal was later chosen as President of the self-declared independent [[Somaliland]].

In late 1969, a [[military government]] assumed power following the assassination of Shermarke, who had been chosen, and served as, President from 1967–1969. [[Siad Barre|Mohamed Siad Barre]], a [[General]] in the armed forces, became the President in 1969 following a [[coup d'état]]. The revolutionary army leaders, headed by Siad Barre, established large-scale public works programmes. They also successfully implemented an urban and rural [[literacy]] campaign, in which they helped to dramatically increase the literacy rate from a mere 5% to 55% by the mid-1980s. In the meantime, Barre assassinated a major figure in his cabinet, Major General Gabiere, and two other officials. 

Between 1977 and 1978, Somalia fought with its neighbour [[Ethiopia]] in the [[Ogaden War]]. The goal of Somali nationalism was to liberate and unite the Somali lands divided and subjugated under colonialism. The Somali state engaged its neighbours Kenya and Ethiopia diplomatically, hoping to win the right of self-determination for ethnic Somalis in those countries. Somalis in [[Ogaden]] province in Ethiopia suffered immensely, as have other Ethiopians, under the brutal rule of Haile Selassie and the new Communist regime. However, Somalis were being expelled from Ogaden province, and Somalia, already preparing for war since the failure of diplomacy, supported the Ogaden Peoples Liberation Front (ONLF, then called Western Somalia Liberation Front WSLF). Eventually, Somalia sought to capture Ogaden province, and acted unilaterally without consulting the international community, which was generally opposed to redrawing colonial boundaries. Somalia's communist allies, the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact, refused to help Somalia, and instead, backed Ethiopia. For most of the war, Somalia appeared to be winning, and in fact, retook most of Ogaden province. With Somali forces at the gates of Addis Ababa, Soviet and Cuban forces and weapons came to the aid of Ethiopia.  The Somali Army was decimated and, soon, defeated. During the Soviet and Cuban intervention, Somalia sought the help of the United States. The Carter Administration originally expressed interest in helping Somalia and then later declined. American allies in the Middle East and Asia also refused to assist Somalia. The Americans perhaps did not want to engage the Soviets in this period of [[détente]].

In 1978, the moral authority of the Somali government collapsed with many Somalis becoming disillusioned with life under military dictatorship. The regime in the 1980s weakened as the Cold War drew to a close and Somalia's strategic importance was diminished. The government became increasingly totalitarian, and resistance movements, encouraged by Ethiopia for its own strategic interests, sprang up across the country, eventually leading to civil war in 1991. 

In 1991, first insurgent forces led by [[Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed]], leader of the (SSDF), and President Ali Mahdi Mohamed was unrecognised as the interim president by some factions. The same year, the northern portion of the country declared its independence as [[Somaliland]]; although de facto independent and relatively stable compared to the tumultuous south, it has not been recognized by any foreign government. In the period 1991-1992, a split in the southern [[United Somali Congress]], which led efforts to unseat Barre, caused an escalation in the civil war, especially in the [[Mogadishu]] area. 

Following the failure of United Nations' [[Operation Restore Hope]] and beginning in 1993, a two-year [[United nations|UN]] effort (primarily in the south) was able to alleviate famine conditions. The UN contingent was at times led by American troops, 18 of whom were killed in a [[Battle of Mogadishu|raid in Mogadishu]] where two helicopters (Supers 61&64) were shot down (as portrayed in the film "[[Black Hawk Down]]"). 

The UN withdrew in [[Operation United Shield]] by [[3 March]] [[1995]], having suffered significant casualties, and the rule of government has not yet been restored.

Yet another [[secession]] from Somalia took place in the northeastern region. The self-governing state took the name [[Puntland]] after declaring "temporary" independence in 1998, with the intention that it would participate in any Somali reconciliation to form a new central government.

===2000–present===
====Political organization====
In 2002, [[Southwestern Somalia]], comprising [[Bay, Somalia|Bay]], [[Bakool]], [[Middle Juba]], [[Gedo]], [[Lower Shabelle]] and [[Lower Juba]] provinces of Somalia declared itself autonomous. However, at the time of its declaration, the [[Rahanweyn Resistance Army]], established in 1999, was in full control of Bay and Bakool and parts of Gedo and Middle Juba regions only. This temporary secession was reasserted in 2002, leading to de facto autonomy of Southwestern Somalia. An internal armed conflict between [[Hasan Muhammad Nur Shatigadud]] and his two deputies, weakened it militarily. From [[February 2006]], this area and the city of Baidoa became central to the Transitional Federal Government.
In 2004, the [[Transitional Federal Government]] (TFG) organized and wrote a charter for the governing of the nation. The government wrote the charter in [[Nairobi]].<ref>{{cite web
  | title =The Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic
  | publisher = Somalia.cc
  | date =February 2004
  | url =http://www.somalia.cc/article_read.asp?item=6
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | title =The Transitional Federal Charter of the Somali Republic
  | publisher = iss.co.za
  | date =February 2004
  | url =http://www.iss.co.za/AF/profiles/Somalia/charterfeb04.pdf 
  | format=pdf
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> The TFG capital is presently in Baidoa.

In 2006, the [[Islamic Courts Union]] rose to predominant control of Somalia. They took over the capital of Mogadishu in the [[Second Battle of Mogadishu]] in May–June and began to spread their control through the rest of the country.

Another secession occurred in July 2006 with the declaration of regional autonomy by the state of [[Jubaland]] nominally consisting of parts of Gedo, Middle Juba, and the whole of Lower Juba region.  [[Barre Aden Shire Hiiraale]], chairman of the Administration of [[Juba Valley Alliance]], who comes from [[Galgadud]] region, in central Somalia is the most powerful leader there. This regional government did not want full statehood.

====Natural disasters====
Somalia was one of the many countries affected by the [[tsunami]] which struck the [[Indian Ocean]] coast following the [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake]], destroying entire villages and killing an estimated 300 people.

In 2006, Somalia was impacted by torrential rains and flooding that struck the entire [[Horn of Africa]] affecting 350,000 people.<ref>{{cite press release
  | title =No end in sight for flood-stricken Somalia
  | publisher =[[ICRC]]
  | date =[[2006-12-11]]
  | url =http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/YSAR-6WDSRM?OpenDocument 
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

====2006 Civil War====
{{current event}}
{{See also|Second Battle of Mogadishu| Rise of the Islamic Courts Union (2006) |War in Somalia (2006–present)|Somalia Diplomatic and Humanitarian Efforts}}

A conflict to unseat warlords broke out in May 2006. The battle was fought between an alliance of Mogadishu warlords known as the [[Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism]] or "ARPCT" and a militia loyal to [[Islamic Courts Union]] or "ICU". The conflict began in mid-February. Several hundred people, mostly civilians, died in the crossfire. Mogadishu residents described it as the worst fighting in more than a decade.  The Islamists accused the [[United States|U.S.]] of funding the warlords through the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] in an effort to prevent the Islamists gaining power.  The U.S. [[State Department]], while neither admitting nor denying this, said the U.S. had taken no action that violated the international arms embargo of Somalia. A few e-mails describing covert illegal operations by private military companies in breach of UN regulations have been reported<ref>{{cite news 
  | last =Barnett 
  | first =Antony 
  | coauthors =Patrick Smith
  | title =US accused of covert operations in Somalia
  | publisher =[[The Observer]]
  | date =[[September 10]] [[2006]]
  | url =http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,1868920,00.html
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> by the UK Sunday newspaper ''[[The Observer]]''. The U.N. maintains an arms embargo on Somalia, and some have alleged that the U.S. broke international law by supplying the Mogadishu warlords.

On [[June 5]], [[2006]] the Islamic Militia said it had taken control of the whole of Mogadishu following the [[Second Battle of Mogadishu]]. On [[14 June]] [[2006]] the last ARPCT stronghold in southern Somalia, the town of [[Jowhar]], fell with little resistance to the ICU. The remaining ARPCT forces fled to the east or across the border into Ethiopia. The warlords' alliance effectively collapsed. 

The transitional government called for intervention by a regional East African peacekeeping force. ICU leaders opposed this, and lobbied [[African Union]] (AU) member states at an AU ceremony in [[Libya]] on [[September 9]] [[2006]] to abandon plans to send peacekeepers to Somalia. The Islamists are fiercely opposed to foreign troops — particularly [[Ethiopia|Ethiopians]] — in Somalia.<ref name = "Reuters2006-09-09">[http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=reutersEdge&storyID=2006-09-09T061747Z_01_L09446351_RTRUKOC_0_US-SOMALIA.xml Somali Islamists to ask AU to end peace force plan], Reuters, [[September 9]], [[2006]].</ref>

Somalia and Ethiopia fought a bitter war in 1977–78 over the Somali province of Ogaden, which has been ruled by the Ethiopians since the partition of Somali lands in the first half of the 20th century. In addition, the ICU claimed that Ethiopia, with its long history as an imperial power, seeks to occupy Somalia, or rule it by proxy.

Steadily the Islamist militia backing the ICU took control of much of the southern half of Somalia, normally through negotiation with local clan chiefs rather than by the use of force. The Islamists stayed clear of the government headquarters town of Baidoa, which Ethiopia said it would protect if threatened.  But on [[September 25]] [[2006]], the ICU moved into the southern port of Kismayo, the last remaining port held by the transitional government.<ref name = "CNN2006-09-25">{{cite news 
  | title =Islamists seize Somalia port
  | publisher =[[CNN]]
  | date =[[2006-09-25]]
  | url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/09/25/somalia.ap/index.html  
  | accessdate = }}</ref>

Many Somalian refugees, as well as the UN recognised transitional government of Somalia, then lived close to the border of Ethiopia, protected by Ethiopian troops. The Islamist Militia issued a jihad against Ethiopia on [[October 9]] [[2006]].<ref>{{cite news 
  | last =Pflanz
  | first =Mike
  | title =Somalia Extremists Declare Jihad On Ethiopia
  | publisher =[[New York Sun]], [[The Daily Telegraph]]
  | date =[[2006-10-10]]
  | url =http://www.nysun.com/article/41275  
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

On Wednesday, [[November 1]], [[2006]], peace talks between the UN-recognized interim government in the North and the Islamists of the south broke down.  The international community feared an all-out civil war, with Ethiopian and rival Eritrean forces backing opposing sides in the power-struggle and political deadlock between the appointed transitional government and the ICU.<ref>{{cite news 
  | last =Gollust
  | first =David 
  | title =US Concerned Somalia Conflict Could Spread
  | publisher =[[Voice of America]]
  | date =[[02 November]] [[2006]]
  | url =http://www.voanews.com/english/2006-11-02-voa65.cfm
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

[[War]] erupted on Thursday, [[December 21]], [[2006]] when the leader of [[ICU]], Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys said: "Somalia is in a [[state of war]], and all Somalis should take part in this struggle against [[Ethiopia]]", after which heavy fighting broke out between the Islamist militia on one side and the allied Somali government and Ethiopian forces on the other side.<ref>{{cite news 
  | title =Carnage as Somalia 'in state of war'
  | publisher =[[CNN]]
  | date =[[December 22]] [[2006]]
  | url =http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/12/21/somalia.fighting.ap/index.html
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

On Sunday, [[December 24]], [[2006]], Ethiopian forces launched [[unilateral]] airstrikes against Islamist troops and strongpoints across Somalia. Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu stated that targets included the town of Buur Hakaba, near the administration's base in [[Baidoa]]. This was the first use of airstrikes by Ethiopia and also its first public admission of involvement in Somalia.<ref>{{cite news 
  | title =Ethiopia declares war on Somalia
  | publisher =[[Al Jazeera]]
  | date =[[December 25]] [[2006]]
  | url =http://www.aljazeera.com/me.asp?service_ID=12683 
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

That same day, Ethiopian Prime Minister [[Meles Zenawi]] announced that his country was waging war against the Islamists to protect his country's sovereignty. "Ethiopian defense forces were forced to enter into war to the protect the sovereignty of the nation and to blunt repeated attacks by Islamic courts terrorists and anti-Ethiopian elements they are supporting," he said. <ref>{{cite news 
  | last =Yare 
  | first =Hassan 
  | title =Ethiopia says forced into war with Somali Islamists
  | publisher =[[Yahoo!]], [[Reuters]]
  | date =[[2006-12-24]]
  | url =http://p134.news.scd.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061224/wl_nm/somalia_conflict_dc
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

On Monday, [[December 25]], [[2006]] Ethiopia declared war on the Islamic Courts, and one Ethiopian jet fighter strafed the international airport in [[Mogadishu]], without apparently causing serious damage but prompting the airport to be shut down. Other Ethiopian jet fighters attacked a military airport west of Mogadishu.<ref>{{cite news 
  | title =Ethiopia attacks Somalia airports
  | publisher =[[BBC]]
  | date =[[2006-12-25]]
  | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6208549.stm
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news 
  | first=Jeffrey
  | last=Gentleman
  | title =Ethiopian Jets Strafe Mogadishu Airports 
  | publisher =[[The New York Times]]
  | date =[[2006-12-26]]
  | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/26/world/africa/26somalia.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>  

Days of heavy fighting followed as Ethiopian and government troops backed by tanks and jets pushed against Islamist forces between Baidoa and Mogadishu. Both sides claimed to have inflicted hundreds of casualties, but the Islamist infantry and vehicle artillery were badly beaten and forced to retreat toward Mogadishu. On [[28 December]] [[2006]], the allies entered Mogadishu after Islamist fighters fled the city.

The Islamists retreated south, towards their stronghold in Kismayu, fighting rearguard actions in several towns. They abandoned Kismayu, too, without a fight, claiming that their flight was a strategic withdrawal to avoid civilian casualties. They entrenched around the small town of Ras Komboni, at the southernmost tip of Somalia and on the border with Kenya. In early January, the Ethiopians and the Somali government attacked, capturing the Islamist positions and driving the surviving fighters into the hills and forests after several days of combat. On Tuesday, January 9, 2007, the United States openly intervened in Somalia by sending AC-130 gunships to attack Islamist positions in Ras Kamboni. Dozens were killed.

On January 11 and 12, joint U.S. and Ethiopian forces conducted additional airstrikes in the wild countryside near Ras Kamboni. The U.S. said it was targeting a terrorist cell responsible for the bombings of the U.S. embassies in [[Kenya]] and [[Tanzania]] in 1998. However, the human rights organization Oxfam said 70 nomadic herdsmen were killed and 100 wounded in the airstrikes, and none of them were combatants.

==Politics== 	 
{{main|Politics of Somalia}}

[[Image:Somali land 2007 01 12.png|thumb|200px|left|Somali-inhabited lands, [[12 January]] [[2007]].]]

<!-- I do have suggestions to correct the misleading information about the Local Somali MAP that is published on this Page. On the RED colour GALMUDUG is not recognised Regional Administration. The Inhabitant of the Abudwaq and Dhusamareeb are not party of that name GALMUDUG. SADE (Marehan)clan from DAROD Tribe  who live in ABUDWAQ, BALLAN-BALLE and part of DHUSAMAREB Districts is not part of that name. So please I suggest to the Author of this Column to erase the RED colour that you marked its bach-ground. From the City of ABUDWAQ-Dhasamareeb-Beletweyn-Bula-Barde-Jawhar-Balcad-Mogadishu-Afgooye-Merca-Barawe-Jilib have to be in  BLUE colour back-ground under the Transitional Federal Government. Bakol-Bay-Gedo Regions- Sakow-Buale have to be in BLUE colour Back-graoung under the TFG) *** This point has to be clearified to the real situation of Somalia's today*** I agree that still some members of the Islamic Courts are in Kismayo and its sorroundings, but as a writer I don't think It is good idea to mislead to the Wilkipedia Audiences, which they can see every day News to the real situation in Somalia from the Inernational Media as the TVs. Somalia's situation currently is under Media Spotlight exactly as like Saddam Hussein's execution of todays date Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006***

We don't want put on this Website two competing Somalia's MAPS, but we like to have correct updated map that translate the real situation of the Country.-->

Somalia has had no effective national government since 1991, though there is an internationally recognized government in Baidoa.  This government, called the ''Transitional National Government'', controls only Baidoa and is not recognized by most Somalis to be legitimate. The transitional government was appointed abroad, by forces historically opposed to Somali interests such as Ethiopia and various African countries seeking to limit the extent and scope of Somali development and eventual encroachment on occupied Somali lands.  In the northwest, there is the breakaway republic of [[Somaliland]], which declared its independence in 1991. This governing zone is not internationally recognized although it has remained more stable and certainly more peaceful than the south and northeast. [[Puntland]] in the northeast declared itself autonomous in 1998 and has not joined the Transitional Government, though the former president of Puntland is now the president of the Baidoa government and Puntland has stated its desire to join a future federated state.  In the southeastern interior, [[Jubaland]] and [[Southwestern Somalia]] have both joined the Baidoa government, and its leaders are part of the Baidoa parliament.

The other half of the country, with the bulk of the population, was controlled until the end of December 2006 by the [[Islamic Courts Union]] (ICU), which controlled the critically important cities of Mogadishu and, since [[September 24]], [[2006]], Kismayo. As of January 2007, the situation is unstable. The Islamic Courts seek to institute [[Sharia]] law in Somalia. Social law changes, such as the forbidding of chewing [[khat]],<ref>{{cite news 
  | title =Regional court orders closure of khat kiosks
  | publisher =Garowe Online
  | date =[[2006-11-22]]
  | url =http://www.garoweonline.com/stories/publish/article_6117.shtml 
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> and even the prohibition against watching movies and soccer in public,<ref>{{cite news 
  | first=Mohamed Abdi 
  | ;ast =Farah 
  | title =Islamists put curfew on Bulo-Burde town after unrest
  | publisher =SomaliNet
  | date =[[2006-11-22]]
  | url =http://somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/5246 
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>  have become recent movements by the ICU to change behaviors and impose strict social morals.

[[Image:060626_SOMALIA_AWEYS_vsm.rp420x400.jpg|thumb|100px|right|Mr. [[Hassan Aweys]], leader of [[Islamic Courts Union]]. ]]

The Council is led by Sheikh [[Sharif Sheikh Ahmed]]. When asked if the ICU plans to extend its control to the rest of Somalia, Sheikh Ahmed responded in an interview:
{{quotation
| "Land is not our priority. Our priority is the people's peace, dignity and that they could live in liberty, that they could decide their own fate. That is our priority. Our priority is not land; the people are important to us."
| [http://www.awdalnews.com/wmview.php?ArtID=7404 Sheikh Sherif welcomes dialogue with Washington], ANN, Jun 9, 2006]
}}
On [[October 14]], [[2004]], Somali [[members of parliament]] elected warlord [[Abdullahi Yusuf]], previously president of Puntland, to be the next president. Because of the situation in Mogadishu, the election was held in a sports centre in [[Nairobi]], Kenya. Yusuf was elected transitional President by [[Transitional Federal Parliament|Somalia's transitional parliament]]. He won 189 of the 275 votes from members of parliament. The session of Parliament was also held in neighbouring Kenya. His government is recognized by most Western nations as legitimate, although his actual authority is questionable considering his history as a warlord and as a participant in the civil war that has ruined Somalia.

[[Image:President_Abdullahi_Yusuf.jpg|thumb|150px|right|The [[President of Somalia]], [[Abdullahi Yusuf]].]]

Many other small political organizations exist, some clan-based, others seeking a Somalia free from clan-based politics. Many of them have come into existence since the civil war.
In late 2006, the ''[[Transitional Federal Government of the Somali Republic]]'' controlled only a relatively small portion of the country; by some accounts its control barely extended beyond the limits of its capital city of [[Baidoa]]. The political situation remains unstable; for example, on [[September 18]], [[2006]], Abdullah Yusuf barely survived a suicide attack on his convoy in Baidoa, although twelve other people were killed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Gettleman |first=Jeffrey |title=Somali President Survives Suicide Bomb; 8 Others Are Killed |publisher=[[The New York Times]] |date=2006-09-18 |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/world/africa/19somalia.html?ex=1316318400&en=71813932881e45e7&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss |accessdate=2006-09-19
}}</ref>  Over the course of late December 2006, The Transitional Government, with the aid of Ethiopian troops, extended its control over much of the country, and the Islamists retreated. In [[January 2007]] they were [[Battle of Ras Kamboni|attacked]] in the remote stronghold of [[Ras Kamboni]] in the extreme southern tip of the country.

{{seealso|List of notable Somali leaders}}

{{clear}}

==Capital==

[[Mogadishu]] is the capital of Somalia.  In 2006, Mogadishu became part of the territory controlled by the Islamic Courts Union.  While the Transitional Federal Government had its seat in [[Baidoa]] it was also considered a capital.  

On [[December 28]], [[2006]], troops of the U.N.-backed interim government rolled into Mogadishu unopposed, putting an end to six months of domination of the capital by a radical Islamic movement.  Prime Minister  [[Ali Mohammed Ghedi]] declared that Mogadishu had been secured, after meeting with local clan leaders to discuss the peaceful hand-over of the city.<ref name = "Yahoo2006-12-28">{{cite news 
  | last =Mohamed Olad
  | first =Hassan
  | title =Somali troops enter Mogadishu to cheers
  | publisher =[[Associated Press]] 
  | date =[[2006-12-28]]
  | url =http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061228/ap_on_re_af/somalia
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Geography==
[[Image:Saaylac.jpg|thumb|200px|left|The [[Zeila]] coastline is situated in the [[Awdal]] region of Somalia]] 

Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa.<ref name = "Time">{{cite news 
  | last =Robinson
  | first =Simon
  | coauthors =Xan Rice
  | title =In Peril on The Sea
  | publisher =[[Time]]
  | date =[[2005-11-07]]
  | url =http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/article/0,13673,501051114-1126762,00.html  
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

Somalia is located on the east coast of Africa on and north of the Equator between the [[Gulf of Aden]] on the north and [[Indian Ocean]] on the east. Together with Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti it is often referred to as the [[Horn of Africa]]. It borders Djibouti on the northwest, [[Ethiopia]] on the west, and Kenya to the southwest.  

Major climatic factors are a year-round hot climate, seasonal monsoon winds, and irregular rainfall with recurring droughts. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 30°C to 40°C (85–105°F), except at higher elevations and along the east coast. Mean daily minimums usually vary from about 15°C to 30°C (60–85°F). The southwest monsoon, a sea breeze, makes the period from about May to October the mildest season at Mogadishu. The December-February period of the northeast monsoon is also relatively mild, although prevailing climatic conditions in Mogadishu are rarely pleasant.  The "tangambili" periods that intervene between the two monsoons (October–November and March–May) are hot and humid.
{{clear}}

==Administrative divisions==
{{main|Regions of Somalia|Districts of Somalia}}

[[Image:Somalia pol02.jpg|thumb|200px|right|Political map of Somalia.]]

Somalia is divided into eighteen [[Regions of Somalia|regions]] (''gobollada'', [[Singular|sing.]] ''[[gobol]]''), which in turn are subdivided into [[Districts of Somalia|districts]]. The regions are:
{{columns
|width = 150px
|gap   = 10px
|col1  = 1 [[Awdal]]<br/>2 [[Bakool]]<br/>3 [[Banaadir]]<br/>4 [[Bari, Somalia|Bari]]<br/>5 [[Bay, Somalia|Bay]]<br/>6 [[Galguduud]]
|col2  = &nbsp;&nbsp;7 [[Gedo]]<br/>&nbsp;&nbsp;8 [[Hiiraan]]<br/>&nbsp;&nbsp;9 [[Jubbada Dhexe]]<br/>10 [[Jubbada Hoose]]<br/>11 [[Mudug]]<br/>12 [[Nugaal]]<br/>
|col3  = 13 [[Sanaag]]<br/>14 [[Shabeellaha Dhexe]]<br/>15 [[Shabeellaha Hoose]]<br/>16 [[Sool]]<br/>17 [[Togdheer]]<br/>18 [[Woqooyi Galbeed]]
}}
{{clear}}

==Health==
[[Image:HIV Epidem.png|right|thumbnail|200px|Somalia has one of the lowest HIV infected populations in Sub-Saharan Africa]]

Somalia continues to have one of the highest [[child mortality]] rates in the world, with 10% of children dying at birth and 25% of those surviving birth dying before age five. But on the other hand Somalia also has one of the lowest [[HIV]] infection rates in Africa.
 
{{quotation | The breadth of the [[AIDS]] pandemic has led to the idea in the West that the entire continent is ravaged by the disease. But Somalia — isolated for 14 years since the civil war began and populated by devout Muslims — has an infection rate of perhaps only 1.5 or 2 per cent of the adult population.|Stephanie Nolan<ref>In Somalia, isolation has kept AIDS at bay ― Stephanie Nolan</ref>   
}}

==Education==
With the collapse of the central government 1991, the education system is now private. A World Bank study reports "modest gains in education." As last measured in 2001, primary school enrollment, which stood at 17%, was nearly at pre-war levels, and secondary school enrollment had been increasing since 1998.  However, "adult literacy is estimated to have declined from the already low level of 24% in 1989 to 17.1% in 2001."<ref name = "WB2004-03-25"> {{cite web
  | title =Country re-engagement note: Somalia
  | publisher =[[UNDP]], [[World Bank]]
  | date =April 2003
  | url =http://www-wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2004/03/25/000112742_20040325090551/Rendered/PDF/282760Somalia0Country0reengagement0note.pdf
  | format =pdf
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }} </ref>  A more recent 2003 study reported that the literacy rate had risen to 19%.<ref name = "WB">{{cite web
  | first=Tatiana 
  | last=Nenova
  | coauthors=Tim Harford
  | title =Anarchy and Invention: How Does Somalia’s Private Sector Cope without Government?
  | work=Public policy for the private sector
  | publisher =[[UNDP]], [[World Bank]]
  | date =November 2004
  | url =http://rru.worldbank.org/Documents/PapersLinks/280-nenova-harford.pdf
  | format =pdf
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }} [  World Bank].</ref>  In comparison, literacy is at 49% in wealthier West Africa and 35% among its neighbours. Higher education ended completely in the civil war of 1991, but [[Mogadishu University]] reopened in 1998 and its first class graduated in 2001. Other universities have opened in other cities. In addition to customer fees, much of the funding for the education system comes from international Islamic charities such as [[Al-Islah]].<ref name = "DoS">{{cite web
  | title =Somalia
  | work =International Religious Freedom Report 2004
  | publisher =[[Department of State]]
  | date =[[September 15]] [[2004]]
  | url =http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2004/35382.htm
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{main|Economy of Somalia}}

Since the collapse of the state, Somalia has transformed from what Mohamed Siad Barre referred to as "[[scientific socialism]]" to a [[free market economy]]. 

Due to the lack of government oversight or statistics, and the recent war, it is difficult to calculate the size or growth of the economy. For 1994, the CIA estimated GDP at $3.3 billion<ref>[http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps35389/1995/wf950219.htm CIA World Factbook: Somalia (1995)]</ref> In 2001, it was estimated to be $4.1 billion.<ref>[http://www.bartleby.com/151/so.html#Economy CIA World Factbook: Somalia (2003)]</ref> In 2005, the CIA estimated GDP to be $4.809 billion.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/so.html CIA World Factbook: Somalia (2006)</ref> Real growth in 2005 was projected at 2.4%.

Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. After livestock, [[banana]]s are the principal export; [[sugar]], [[sorghum]], [[maize]], and [[fish]] are products for the domestic market. The small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, accounts for 10% of GDP.

==Telecommunications==
Somalia's public telecommunications system was almost completely destroyed or dismantled.   However, private wireless companies thrive in most major cities and actually provide better services than in neighbouring countries.  Wireless service and [[Internet café]]s are provided.  Somalia was the last African country to access the Internet in August 2000, with only 57 Web sites known as of 2003.<ref>{{cite web
  | last =Landreville
  | first =Kristen 
  | title =Journalists online in Somalia
  | publisher =World Watch
  | date =[[November 28]] [[2003 ]] 
  | url =http://www.kristenlandreville.com/2003_11_01_world-watch_archive.html
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>   Somalia has the cheapest cellular calling rates in Africa, with some companies charging less than a cent a minute.<ref name = "BBCNewsAfrica">{{cite news 
  | last =Winter
  | first =Joseph 
  | title =Telecoms thriving in lawless Somalia 
  | publisher =[[BBC]]
  | date =[[2004-11-19]]
  | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4020259.stm
  | accessdate =2007-01-02  }}</ref>  Competing phone companies have agreed on interconnection standards, which were brokered by the [[United Nations]] funded [[Somali Telecom Association]]. 

Companies providing telecommunication services are:
{{columns
|width=180px
|col1 =
*[[Golis Telecom]]
*[[SOMTEL]]
*[[Galkom]]
*[[Global Internet Company]]
*[[Hormuud]]
|col2 =
*[[Telcom]]
*[[Nationlink]]
*[[Netco]]
*[[STG]]
*[[Somafone]]
}}

==Demographics==
{{main|Demographics of Somalia}}

[[Image:Somalia pop 2002.jpg|thumb|250px|This 2002 [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] map shows population density throughout Somalia.]]

Somalia has a population of around 8,863,338.<ref name=CIA-WORLD-FACTBOOK-SOMALIA>{{cite web
  | title =Somalia
  | work = CIA Factbook
  | publisher =[[CIA]]
  | date= [[19 December]] [[2006]]
  | url =https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/so.html#People
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref> However, estimates are very difficult because of the political situation and the mostly nomadic nature of the Somalis. The last census was in 1975. Most outside analysts use this estimate but Somalia is one of the fastest growing countries in Africa and the world. Some estimates range between 10 and 15 million.<ref name=SOMALIA-HISTORICAL-DEMOGRAPHICAL-DATA>{{cite web
  | last =Lahmeyer 
  | first =Jan 
  | title =Somalia historical demographical data of the whole country
  | work =Population Statistics
  | publisher =Library, [[Utrecht University]]
  | date =1999/2003
  | url =http://www.library.uu.nl/wesp/populstat/Africa/somaliac.htm
  | accessdate = 2007-01-02 }}</ref>

Today, about 60% of all Somalis are [[nomadic]] or semi-nomadic pastoralists who raise [[cattle]], [[camel]]s, [[sheep]], and [[goat]]s. About 25% of the population are settled farmers who live mainly in the fertile agricultural region between the [[Juba River|Juba]] and [[Shebelle River|Shebelle]] rivers in southern Somalia. The remainder of the population (15%-20%) is urban.

It is estimated that approximately one third of the population is made up of  minority groups including [[Bantu]], Bravenese, Rerhamar, Bajuni, Eyle, Galgala, Tumal, Yibir and Gaboye.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/AllDocsByUNID/7d1fc87ed568612dc1256c0c004a2463
|title=A Study of Minority Groups in Somalia
|publisher=Relief Web
|date=[[2002-08-01]]
|accessdate=2007-01-01 
}}</ref>

Because of the civil war, the country has a large [[diaspora]] community, one of the largest of the whole continent. There are over a million Somalis outside of Africa, and this excludes those who have inhabited Ogaden province, northeastern Kenya, and Djibouti. 

===Languages===
{{main|Languages of Somalia}}
Nearly all inhabitants speak [[Somali language|Somali]], the official language. This standard was  based on dialects from the Mudug province.

The Somali language was not used extensively for writing until 1973, when a standard orthography using the [[Latin alphabet]] was decreed by the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC). Somali is now the language of instruction in schools.  [[English language|English]], [[Italian language|Italian]], and [[Arabic]] are also widely used.  These people often speak Blabaneize {{fact}}.

==Religion==
{{main|Islam in Somalia}}
The Somalis are primarily [[Sunni]] [[Muslims]].  [[Christianity]]'s influence was abolished in the 1970's when church-run schools were closed and missionaries sent home. There has been no bishop of the [[Catholic Church]] in the country since 1989; the cathedral in Mogadishu has been destroyed.  The Somali constitution prohibits talking about any religion except Islam.  A secret underground Christian community exists in certain parts of the country.

Loyalty to Islam reinforces distinctions that set Somalis apart from their immediate African neighbors, many of whom are either Christians (particularly the [[Amhara]] and others of [[Ethiopia]]) or adherents of indigenous [[African]] faiths.

{{clear}}

==Culture==
{{main|Culture of Somalia}}
*[[Cuisine of Somalia]]
*[[List of African writers (by country)#Somalia|List of writers from Somalia]]
*[[Music of Somalia]]

==See also==
{{columns
|width=240px
|col1 =
*[[Battle of Mogadishu]]
*[[Second Battle of Mogadishu]]
*[[Building block theory]]
*[[Communications in Somalia]]
|col2 =
*[[Foreign relations of Somalia]]
*[[Military of Somalia]]
*[[Scouting in Somalia]]
*[[Transportation in Somalia]]
}}
===Lists===
*[[President of Somalia|Presidents of Somalia]]
*[[Prime Minister of Somalia|Prime Ministers of Somalia]]
*[[Transitional Federal Government]]
*[[List of Somalians]]
*[[List of Somali companies]]
*[[List of Somalia-related topics]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{sisterlinks|Somalia}}
; Government
*[http://www.somali-gov.info Official Website of the Federal Government of Somalia]

; News
*[http://allafrica.com/somalia/ Somalia news headlines]

; Economy
*[http://rru.worldbank.org/Documents/PapersLinks/280-nenova-harford.pdf Anarchy and Invention: How Does Somalia's Private Sector Cope without Government?]

; General information
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Somalia Open Directory Project - Somalia]
*[http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-71-723/conflict_war/somalia/ CBC Digital Archives - The Somalia Affair]
*[http://www.somaliaonline.com/ News and Discussions]

; UNESCO
*[http://education.nairobi-unesco.org/ UNESCO Nairobi office on education in Somalia]
*[http://education.nairobi-unesco.org/PDFs/somalia.pdf UNESCO Nairobi Office - Fact Book on Education For All, Somalia 2006]

== Geographic locale ==

{{Countries of East Africa}}
{{Countries of Africa}}
{{Arabian Sea}}
{{Red Sea}}
{{Indian Ocean}}
{{Member states of the African Union}}
{{Arab League}}
{{OIC}}
{{Cushitic-speaking}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Somalia| ]]
[[Category:East Africa]]
[[Category:African Union member states]]
[[Category:Arab League]]
[[Category:Divided regions]]

[[af:Somalië]]
[[am:ሶማሊያ]]
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[[bn:সোমালিয়া]]
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[[bg:Сомалия]]
[[ca:Somàlia]]
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[[ko:소말리아]]
[[hi:सोमालिया]]
[[hr:Somalija]]
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[[he:סומליה]]
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[[ku:Somaliya]]
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[[sr:Сомалија]]
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[[th:ประเทศโซมาเลีย]]
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[[uk:Сомалі]]
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[[zh:索马里]]