Propaganda in the War in Somalia (2006–2009)

Even before the beginning of the War in Somalia (2006–2009) there were significant assertions and accusations of the use of disinformation and propaganda tactics, classed as forms of information warfare, by various parties to shape the causes and course of the conflict. These include assertions of falsification of the presence or number of forces involved, exaggeration or minimisation of the casualties inflicted or taken, influence or control of media outlets (or shutting them down), and other informational means and media to sway popular support and international opinion.

Low literacy rates in Somalia, estimated at between 17% and 19%, also greatly impact the effect of propaganda within the country (see related article on literacy in Somalia).

## Claims of propaganda

[edit]

Referring to the UN Security Council resolution to support IGASOM, a Kenyan diplomat said, "Unfortunately, the [U.N.] resolution was sponsored by the United States, and it will be used by the Courts as a propaganda tool. But at least there's a window."[1] Muslims also were considered to believe US claims of Al Qaeda activity was part of a propaganda campaign waged by Washington:

> In her most blunt assessment yet, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer last week accused the Islamic council of being controlled by "East Africa Al Qaeda cell individuals."

> Islamists dismiss such allegations as Western propaganda, though some concede that the council is struggling to strike a balance between its moderate and fundamentalist factions.[2]

Al Qaeda, for their part, have not been silent on the issue. On July 1, 2006, a Web-posted audio message purportedly recorded by Osama bin Laden urged Somalis to build an Islamic state in the country, and warned all nations that his al Qaeda network would fight against them if they intervened there.[3]

External powers such as Ethiopia and Eritrea have also been accused of propaganda to drum up domestic support for the conflict.[4][5] Eritrea even claims the assertions it has troops involved in Somalia is part of a disinformation campaign being waged against it by Ethiopia.[6] Once the TFG and Ethiopian troops advanced into areas previously controlled by the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), there were allegation of rape, robbery and massacre committed by the Ethiopian troops which the TFG claimed were false accusations by ICU supporters for the consumption of Human Rights organizations.[7]

## Claims of troops and casualties

[edit]

One of the greatest debates has been over the presence or quantity of troops of the various external powers involved. There were various claims of involvement of Ethiopia before its open admission of presence in Somalia, as well as speculation and arguments about the quantity of troops both before and after the admission. One claim by the ICU put the number of Ethiopian troops at 35,000.[8] Ethiopia consistently insisted it had a "few hundred" advisors in the country until it increased its admission to "3,000 - 4,000."[9] Independent claims put Ethiopian strength at anywhere between 8,000 and 20,000. Eritrea consistently denies presence of any troops in the country, though the TFG and Ethiopia both consistently accuse it of having up to 2,000 troops in Somalia. Other assertions include a wide range of other nations contributing troops, from Uganda to Islamic nations from which mujahideen have volunteered.

Casualty reports have also conflicted, where one side might claim to have lost only a few troops while the opponent claimed to have inflicted hundreds. The positions of advance have also been disputed, such as one report where the ICU claimed to be within 10 km of Baidoa; the government denied the ICU had advanced that far.[10] Such claims and counter-claims have been common in the conflict.

## Media manipulation and repression

[edit]

Media manipulation, including the arrest of journalists (such as the September arrest of Radio Simba journalist Osman Adan Areys[11]) and journalist union leaders,[12] has been an issue in ICU-controlled areas of the country. The ICU also shut down East Africa (Mogadishu) and HornAfrik (Kismayo) radio stations.[13]

On the other side, the TFG was accused of shutting down FM Radio Warsan in Baidoa in 2006 and again in January 2007[14][15] and arresting numerous journalists attempting to report on Ethiopian troops in Baidoa. In November 2007, the federal government and Ethiopian troops were crawling down of freedom of press.[citation needed]

On January 15, 2007, the TFG closed the radio stations for Shabelle Radio, Horn Afrik, IQK, and the television station Al-Jazeera in Mogadishu, without stating a reason.[16][17] Later, it was said the radio stations had ties to the Ayr clan, which supported the Islamic Courts, and, according to government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari, had broadcast reports about government soldiers: "They said our soldiers were looting the markets and harassing people, which was totally untrue... They are using the media to undermine the government. They have been doing this for months."[18] An employee of one of the broadcasters said the government "doesn't want free media that really give people the real information. They want distorted information... they don't want us to say the Ethiopian armies are supporting the government."[19] The media ban was lifted the next day, on January 16.[20]

### Iran media

[edit]

The Iran state funded news agency, Press TV,[21] has been accused of spreading propaganda by Ethiopians, using the term "intentional errors" to describe reporting on several issues from a pro-Insurgent point of view, a claim taken up by many media organizations in the west.[22][23][24]

## See also

[edit]

* Internet censorship and surveillance in Somalia
* List of journalists killed during the Somali civil war
* Media of Somalia
* Somali Civil War
* War in Somalia (2006–2009)
* War in Somalia (2009–present)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ McCrummen, Stephanie (2006-12-14). "Regional War May Loom in Africa". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
2. ^ Renewed fighting edges Somalia closer to civil war Chicago Tribune
3. ^ Bin Laden releases Web message on Iraq, Somalia USA Today
4. ^ Post details: Ethiopia is the play ball of mafia and CIA propaganda Nazret.com
5. ^ Eritrean government: running out of propaganda tricks American Chronicle
6. ^ Eritrea: Country Does Not Have Troops in Somalia Shabait.com
7. ^ propaganda war during the somalia civil war
8. ^ Somali Islamists Threaten Ethiopian Troops Archived 2006-12-20 at the Wayback Machine Voice of America
9. ^ 3 sides prepare for battle in Somalia Associated Press
10. ^ Somalia: PM says Islamists lost in the clashes Archived 2007-01-17 at the Wayback Machine SomaliNet
11. ^ SOMALIA: ICU authorities censor radio station, detain journalist Committee to Protect Journalists
12. ^ NUSOJ leaders released on bail, documents confiscated Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine NUSOJ
13. ^ SOMALIA: Mogadishu radio station shut down IRIN
14. ^ Somalia: Govt. shuts down Radio Warsan in Baidoa Archived 2008-07-25 at the Wayback Machine SomaliNet
15. ^ Somalia govt shuts down independent radio station Archived 2007-01-13 at the Wayback Machine
16. ^ "Somalia: Govt. closes Radio stations in Mogadishu". SomaliNet. 2007-01-15. Archived from the original on 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
17. ^ "Somali FM radios including Shabelle and Aljazeera TV are shut down". Shabelle Media Network. 2007-01-15. Archived from the original on 2007-03-24. Retrieved 2007-01-15.
18. ^ Gettleman, Jeffrey (2007-01-16). "Somalia's Transitional Government Shuts 3 Radio Stations". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
19. ^ Olivia Ward (2007-01-16). "Somalia silences Canadian voices". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
20. ^ "Somalia lifts broadcast ban, rules out peace talks". 2007-01-16. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
21. ^ Iran expands role in media, via satellite and in English
22. ^ Press TV sometimes reports errors as true
23. ^ Press Media reports the "propaganda of pro-ICU media outlets in Somalia "
24. ^ Ethiopians claim Iran's Press TV propaganda against Ethiopia

* v
* t
* e

War in Somalia (2006–2009)

* Part of the Somali Civil War
* Ethiopian–Somali conflict
* War on terror

Timeline|

* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009

Background|

* History of Somalia (1991–2006)
* Greater Somalia
* Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa
* Somali Civil War
* Factions
* Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts
* Propaganda
* Disarmament
* 2006 Islamic Courts Union offensive
* 2006 Battle of Mogadishu
* Ethiopian–Somali conflict
* Insurgency in Ogaden
* Somali Reconciliation Conferences
* 1993
* 2002
* 2007

Battles|

* Battle of Baidoa
* Battle of Bandiradley
* Battle of Beledweyne (2006)
* Battle of Jowhar
* Fall of Mogadishu
* Battle of Jilib
* Fall of Kismayo
* Battle of Ras Kamboni
* Battle of Mogadishu (March–April 2007)
* Battle of Bargal (2007)
* Battle of Mogadishu (November 2007)
* Battle of Mogadishu (2008)
* Battle of Beledweyne (2008)
* Siege of Baidoa
* Battle of Kismayo (2008)

OEF–HOA|

* Battle of Ras Kamboni
* Battle of Bargal (2007)
* Dobley airstrike
* Dhusamareb airstrike

Other events|

* 2007 Mogadishu TransAVIAexport Airlines Il-76 crash
* February 2008 Bosaso bombings
* Al-Hidaya Mosque massacre
* 2008 Mogadishu bombing
* 2008 Hargeisa–Bosaso bombings

Key players|

* Ethiopia
* Meles Zenawi
* Gabre Heard
* Islamic Courts Union
* Hassan Dahir Aweys
* Sharif Sheikh Ahmed
* al-Itihaad al-Islamiya
* Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki
* al-Shabaab
* Mukhtar Robow
* Aden Hashi Farah Aero
* ARPCT
* Abdi Hasan Awale
* Mohamed Omar Habeb
* Transitional Federal Parliament
* Ali Mohammed Ghedi
* Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed
* Puntland
* Mohamud Muse Hersi
* Galmudug
* Mohamed Warsame Ali
* United States
* Jendayi Frazer
* AMISOM
* Yoweri Museveni

* Next phase: Somali Civil War (2009–present)

* v
* t
* e

Somali Civil War (2009–present)

* Part of the Somali Civil War
* War on terror

Timeline|

* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Background|

* History of Somalia (1991–2006)
* Greater Somalia
* Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa
* Somali Civil War
* Factions
* Diplomatic and humanitarian efforts
* Propaganda
* Disarmament
* 2006 Islamic Courts Union offensive
* Battle of Mogadishu (2006)
* Ethiopian–Somali conflict
* Insurgency in Ogaden
* Somali Reconciliation Conferences
* 1993
* 2002
* 2007

Operations
and battles|

* Battle of South Mogadishu
* Battle of Mogadishu (2009)
* Battle for Central Somalia (2009)
* Battle of Wabho
* Battle of Kismayo (2009)
* Battle of Beledweyne (2010)
* 2010 Ayn clashes
* 2010 Kenya–Al-Shabaab border clash
* Battle of Mogadishu (2010–2011)
* Battle of Jubbada Hoose
* Battle of Gedo
* Battle of Elwaq
* Operation Linda Nchi
* Battle of Deynile
* Battle of Beledweyne (2011)
* Battle of Yurkud (2012)
* Battle of Kismayo (2012)
* Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt
* Operation Indian Ocean
* Galgala campaign
* Battle of Baure
* Battle of Leego (2015)
* Battle of Janale (2015)
* Battle of El Adde
* Qandala campaign
* Battle of Kulbiyow
* 2017 raid on Barii
* Battle of Af Urur
* 2017 Golweyn ambush
* November 2017 Somalia airstrike
* 2018 African Union base attack in Bulo Marer
* December 2018 airstrikes in Gandarshe
* Camp Simba attack
* 2021 Mogadishu mutiny
* 2021 Golweyn ambush
* 2021 Galmudug clashes
* 2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia
* Battle of Bal'ad
* Battle of Runirgod
* Battle of Buulo Mareer
* 2025 Shabelle offensive

Attacks|

* 2009 African Union base bombings in Mogadishu
* 2009 Beledweyne bombing
* 2009 Hotel Shamo bombing
* May 2010 Mogadishu bombings
* 2010 Kampala bombings
* Muna Hotel attack
* 2011 Mogadishu bombing
* June 2013 Mogadishu attack
* 2013 Mogadishu Turkish embassy attack
* Westgate shopping mall attack
* 2013 Beledweyne attacks
* 2014 Villa Somalia attack
* 2014 Hotel Amalo attack
* Central Hotel attack
* Makka al-Mukarama hotel attack
* Garissa University College attack
* 2015 Ministry of Higher Education attack
* Garowe attack
* Jazeera Palace Hotel bombing
* Sahafi Hotel attacks
* January 2016 Mogadishu attack
* Daallo Airlines Flight 159
* February 2016 Mogadishu attack
* Baidoa suicide bombing
* June 2016 Mogadishu attacks
* 2016 Galkayo bombings
* November 2016 Mogadishu car bombing
* December 2016 Mogadishu suicide bombing
* 2 January 2017 Mogadishu bombings
* Dayah Hotel attack
* February 2017 Mogadishu bombing
* 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings
* 28 October 2017 Mogadishu attacks
* February 2018 Mogadishu attacks
* March 2018 Mogadishu bombing
* July 2018 Mogadishu bombings
* 2 September 2018 Mogadishu bombing
* Sahafi Hotel attacks
* December 2018 Mogadishu bombing
* Nairobi DusitD2 complex attack
* Nairobi Latema Road blast
* 4 February 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 28 February 2019 Mogadishu bombings
* Asasey Hotel attack
* 22 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 24 July 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 2019 Kenya bus shooting
* December 2019 Mogadishu bombing
* 2020 Afgooye bombing
* 2020 Mogadishu army base bombing
* 2020 Mogadishu hotel attack
* 2020 Galkayo bombing
* March 2021 Mogadishu bombing
* June 2021 Mogadishu bombing
* November 2021 Mogadishu bombing
* 2022 Mandera attack
* February 2022 Beledweyne bombing
* March 2022 Somalia attacks
* April 2022 Mogadishu bombing
* August 2022 Mogadishu attack
* September 2022 Beledweyne attack
* October 2022 Beledweyne bombings
* 2022 Kismayo hotel attack
* October 2022 Mogadishu bombings
* Siege of the Villa Rossa Hotel
* Mahas bombings
* 2023 Mogadishu hotel attack
* 2023 Jaalle Siyaad military academy bombing
* 2023 Beledweyne bombing
* 2023 Mogadishu tea shop bombing
* 2024 Mogadishu market bombing
* 2024 Mogadishu SYL Hotel attack and siege
* 2024 El Dher attack
* 2024 Mogadishu prison attack
* Top Coffee bombing
* 2024 Lido Beach attack
* 2024 Mogadishu tea shop bombing
* 2025 Beledweyne hotel attack
* Attempted assassination of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
* 2025 Garissa attack
* 2025 Mogadishu military base bombing
* 2025 Jaalle Siyaad military academy bombing

OEF–HOA|

* 2009 Baraawe raid
* Bulo Marer hostage rescue attempt
* 2013 raid on Barawe
* 2017 raid on Barii

Other events|

* Death of Noramfaizul Mohd Nor
* London Somalia Conference
* Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim controversy
* Daallo Airlines Flight 159
* Awdiinle massacre

Key players|

* Al-Shabaab
* Mukhtar Robow
* Ali Dhere
* Fuad Qalaf
* Hizbul Islam
* Hassan Dahir Aweys
* Hassan Abdullah Hersi al-Turki
* Federal Government of Somalia
* Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
* Omar Sharmarke
* Mohamed Sheikh Hassan
* Ma'awisley
* Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a
* Galmudug
* Abdi Hasan Awale
* Puntland
* Abdiweli Gaas
* AMISOM
*  United States AFRICOM
* Islamic State in Somalia

* Previous phase: War in Somalia (2006–2009)

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template