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Background
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In December 1992, under Operation
Restore Hope, U.S. forces were
deployed to Somalia to secure an
airfield and key installations, provide
security for the safe passage of relief
supplies and offer humanitarian
assistance. Security was quickly
established at all food distribution
sites and connecting routes to ensure
rapid distribution of food and
humanitarian supplies throughout the
country. Operation Restore Hope relief
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workers faced a rapidly unfolding situations. On October 3, 1993, Command
soldiers fought their bloodiest battle in decades. Two Black Hawk helicopters crashed, and 18 USASOC soldiers were
killed before it was all over.
In "Black Hawk Down" a motion picture now in theaters depicts the battle Marines fought during this three-day
struggle. U.S. Army forces in Somalia were reduced in preparation for a transition to a United Nations
peacekeeping force. In March 1995, under Operation United Shield, the U.S. military assisted in the final
withdrawal of all United Nations peacekeeping troops from Somalia.
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Dates of Conflict
Dates of Conflict
| December, 1992 |
U.S. provided assistance to the people of Somalia under Operation Restore Hope by securing roads, airfield and key installations for relief supplies. |
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| October 3, 1993 |
U. S. Army Special Operations Command soldiers fought their bloodiest battle in decades. Two Black Hawk helicopters crashed, and 18 USASOC soldiers were killed. |
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| March 1, 1995 |
Operation United Shield assisted the withdrawal of United Nations peacekeeping troops from Somalia. The decision came in response to a long-standing U.N. request for American protection of its peacekeeping forces serving in the war-torn African nation. On 03 March 1995, after two years and $2 billion, the United Nations concluded its withdrawal from Somalia. Under the protective cover of a seven-nation task force, 2,500 Pakistani and Bangladeshi peacekeepers completed their withdrawal and began their journey home. About 1,800 US Marines and 350 Italian Marines landed on 01 March to safeguard the movement. The 73-hour operation was successful. The Marines' return marked the second landing in Somalia in 27 months. |
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| March 31, 1995 |
The U.N. Security Council established 31 March as the deadline for the departure of all its forces participating in U.N. operations in Somalia. In all, over 4,000 US CENTCOM personnel participated in Operation United Shield ton support the withdrawal of U.N. forces from Somalia. |
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