Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in the Somali Civil War

The Somali Civil War began in 1988. It has gone through various phases over the past two decades. In 2006, open civil war broke out between the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) in March through June, and later, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Because the TFG is backed by Ethiopia, and the ICU is backed by Ethiopian rival, Eritrea, an escalation of tensions risks turn... more

The Somali Civil War began in 1988. It has gone through various phases over the past two decades. In 2006, open civil war broke out between the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism (ARPCT) in March through June, and later, the Transitional Federal Government (TFG). Because the TFG is backed by Ethiopia, and the ICU is backed by Ethiopian rival, Eritrea, an escalation of tensions risks turning this into an international crisis and regional war that could spread across the Horn of Africa. Over the course of 2006, Ethiopian involvement in the Somali Civil War has escalated. As of December 20, ICU and Ethiopian forces came into direct conflict in the Battle of Baidoa. The civil war is exacerbating already severe conditions in the country. 2006 also saw an extreme drought followed by the worst storms and floods in decades, causing misery and danger to hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees that... less