Expanded peacekeeping in Somalia began after the failure of UNOSOM I accompanied by the specter of 500,000 Somalis dead from famine by the fall of 1992 and hundreds of thousands more in danger of dying.

Clan violence in Somalia interfered with international famine relief efforts, and President Bush sent American troops to protect relief workers in a new operation called Restore Hope. The U.S.-led coalition approved by the Security Council in December 1992 had a mandate of protecting humanitarian operations and creating a secure environment for eventual political reconciliation. At the same time, it had the authority to use all necessary means, including military force. A joint and multinational operation, Restore Hope--called UNITAF (unified task force)--was a U.S.-led, UN-sanctioned operation that included protection of humanitarian assistance and other peace-enforcement operations.

While the U.S. failed to acknowledge the political dimensions of the situation at the highest political levels (which would lead to tragic results in the second phase, UNOSOM II), Operation Restore Hope was nevertheless a humanitarian success.

Source: Military Analysis Network

Ambush in Mogadishu

On October 3, 1993 elite units of the U.S. Army's Rangers and Delta Force were ambushed by Somali men, women, and children armed with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. The Rangers were pinned down in the most dangerous part of Mogadishu, Somalia and taking casualties. What had started out as an operation to capture warlord Mohammed Farah Aidid—turned into a tragic firefight that lasted 17 hours, left 18 Americans dead, 84 wounded and continues to haunt the U.S. military and American foreign policy.

Source: PBS Frontline - Ambush in Mogadishu

Selfless Service

"What stands out in my mind... and I'm sure will stand out in my mind six months from now, is the selfless service of the soldiers - their dedication to a tough mission and being away from families for such a long period of time...and yet the drive on spirit of the individual soldiers to do the job to the best of their ability."

— Lt Col. Robert L. Clark IV,
Task Force 1-64 Commander

Click images to enlarge.

Soldiers of the 24th Infantry Division.

An American soldier shares a bit of laughter with two Somali boys at the front gate of the Port of Mogadishu.

For many soldiers, it was the first time they had been deployed to another country. Operation Restore Hope became more than just another headline for those soldiers landing at Mogadishu's Airport.

Final salute between U.S and United Nations peace keepers.

Photo Credit: Reporter's Private Notebook, Sgt. Peter Rimar.