The historical precedents, cultural and emotional ties, and the responsibilities of the West in the development of African history, particularly in East Africa, imposed an unprecedented intervention on Italy.
It is December 11, 1992, a C-130 departs from Pisa airport carrying the first advanced liaison unit (NAC) composed of about twenty paratrooper raiders from the Col Moschin led by Lieutenant Colonel Raider Marco Bertolini.
The Italian adventure in Somalia has begun.
On the same day, the helicopter cruiser Vittorio Veneto, the frigate Grecale, the fleet replenishment ship Vesuvio, and the LPDs San Giorgio and San Marco set sail from the port of Livorno, carrying a marine riflemen unit from the "San Marco" Battalion, the ferry "Sardinia Viva" chartered for the occasion by the Italian Government to transport most of the personnel of the "Folgore" Paratroopers Brigade's logistics battalion.
This tactical group will serve as a bridgehead allowing the subsequent deployment of other units of the Brigade (183rd, 185th, 186th, and 187th Regiment) and more. Armored units such as the 132nd Armored Regiment with a company-level unit on a quarterly rotation, equipped with M60 tanks, and units from the Lancieri di Montebello with FIAT 6614 armored cars and heavy Centauro armored vehicles are also planned.
The naval group (24th), led by Captain Sirio Pianigiani, arrives in Somalia, at the port of Mogadishu, on December 22, landing 23 amphibious vehicles and 16 tracked vehicles of the San Marco battalion.
On January 5, 1993, the ship "Alcadia Falcon" arrives in Mogadishu with the last load of the contingent's equipment.
In 25 days, 2,600 fully equipped and armed soldiers, 4,200 tons of food, fuel, and ammunition stowed in 210 containers, 800 vehicles, and 15 helicopters were transferred 6,000 km from Italy.
For Italy, it is the largest deployment of military forces since World War II. The Italian contingent is the largest after the American one.
The Capture of the Embassy
"Restore hope", restore hope, was the optimistic name given to the mission involving 23,000 American marines, 1,063 French soldiers and legionnaires, 900 Canadian paratroopers, 1,300 Moroccan soldiers, 4,500 Pakistani infantrymen, and 3,200 soldiers from 16 other nations, in addition to 2,600 Italian paratroopers and soldiers.
Restore hope. Two words that, in their simplicity, summarized an undertaking that would soon prove to be arduous and dangerous. The Italians did not back down and demonstrated efficiency and a spirit of sacrifice from the very beginning.
When it came to establishing the Operations Headquarters, there were no hesitations. The Paratroopers Brigade Command would be stationed at the former Mogadishu Embassy, an abandoned and semi-destroyed site of the Italian diplomatic representation, while the Command of the entire Contingent, for functional reasons, would remain near the multinational Command (UNITAF).
But there was a problem: the vast compound that included the chancery, the Ambassador's residence, and various other buildings was still occupied by a band of armed militiamen. Negotiations were initiated to ensure that the "illegal tenants" would leave peacefully, but at the same time, a military action was also prepared to address any contingencies. It seemed an agreement had been reached, but who could say it would be honored?
In the late morning of December 16, 1992, the Tricolor was once again waving on the roof of the chancery, not as a symbol of restored national pride, but as a sincere and fraternal promise of help.
Fortunately, it was not necessary to resort to arms. Two wings of ragged but jubilant crowds, waiting on the street in front of the diplomatic headquarters, cheered and applauded all the phases of the raiders' "blitz" who, starting from the temporary headquarters at Porto Nuovo, reoccupied the Embassy without firing a shot. It was a good start.
On the Road, It Begins!
The dispatch of a humanitarian aid convoy into the heart of Somalia, specifically to Gialalassi, over 180 km from the coast, marked the first major operation of the Italian Contingent, still in the process of completion. The so-called Imperial Road, the main route between the South and North of the country and directed towards Gialalassi, had been unused by humanitarian convoys for about two years due to the presence of bandits, increasing the concerns of the Multinational Command.
The operation was therefore preceded by a reconnaissance by the 9th Assault Battalion 'Col Moschin' and Paratrooper Carabinieri to clear the road of any obstacles. The mission was fully successful, demonstrating the efficiency and organization of the Italian soldiers.
Gialalassi was the first of many stops that allowed the Italian Contingent to control an Area of Responsibility almost as large as Northern Italy. Locations such as Balad, Giohar, Buloburti, Belet Uen soon became known to all the contingent's soldiers.
Their immediate goal was to assist hungry and sick people through the COU (Humanitarian Operational Circuits), which also had military purposes. It was necessary to plan raids to understand the area and assess health and food needs, often on sandy and poorly defined tracks.
Security was a crucial factor, as it was possible to alleviate the suffering of the local populations only by ensuring the self-protection of the personnel. Bandits and militiamen posed a constant threat.
The enthusiastic participation of the Paratroopers in the missions in Somalia saw them facing challenging tasks: traveling for days in the savannah under the scorching sun, fighting against insects and parasites, and confronting difficult realities, very different from European traditions. Simultaneously, military patrols searched for weapons, while doctors and logistics officers organized humanitarian interventions in the villages.
The "Angioni" method also in Somalia
In the IBIS mission in Somalia in 1993, the Italian contingent immediately adopted the effective "Angioni method", previously employed in Lebanon, between 1982 and 1984, under the leadership of Gen. Franco Angioni in the operation Italcon Lebanon 2. This approach, focused on understanding, helping, and respecting the local culture, once again proved its validity as a model for international peace operations.
The COUs, for example, were a human, immediate, and effective response to humanitarian aid in Somalia, extending beyond the major centers on the Imperial Road. From March 15, 1993, after the Addis Ababa agreements, Italy promoted dialogue between factions and the social reconstruction of the country. Among the initiatives of the Italian Contingent, the creation of clinics accessible to the population stood out, a model also followed by other contingents.
The Italian soldiers, in addition to carrying out orders, also stood out for their enthusiasm and generosity, sharing food and affection, especially with children. They distributed clothing, medicines, and school supplies, collected in Italy by families of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Paratroopers, with remarkable results, such as sending over 12 containers full of materials. A signal aimed at demonstrating strong personal and humanitarian involvement towards the Somali people.
The Italian contingent reopened dozens of orphanages and educational institutions that had been abandoned, as well as rebuilding Koranic schools destroyed during the civil war. The Folgore paid particular attention to preserving the essential structures for the functioning of society.
Due to the conflict, numerous children became orphans and education came to a halt, emphasizing the need for the contingent's commitment to renewing the social and educational foundations of the country.
Last but not least was the Army Veterinary Corps which played a dual role: controlling animal-origin food for the contingent and the local population, and an intense zooveterinary activity in Somali farms. The veterinary officers carried out over 256,000 interventions, including the treatment of parasitic, infectious, protozoan diseases, metabolic pathologies, and surgical interventions. This commitment, marked by professional successes and a positive response of the livestock to the treatments, increased the respect and sympathy of the local population towards the Italian Army, integrating the veterinarians into the Somali context and contributing to the improvement of living conditions.
In the context of assisting Somalis, Italian soldiers also established a postal service to reconnect families and communities separated by the war. Since many Somalis had taken refuge in Italy, a post office in Mogadishu forwarded correspondence and audio messages, often in Somali with Italian influences, to Livorno and from there to various Italian regions. Conversely, they collected mail from Somalis in Italy to send to Mogadishu. This service, demonstrating solidarity, brought joy and hope to many, reuniting families divided by the war.
An important demonstration of the contingent's generous commitment was the organization of the return of displaced persons to their home villages. The initiative, aimed at decongesting the overcrowded capital and reviving the local economy, strengthened trust between Italians and Somalis.
With these actions, the Paratroopers earned the support of the local population and highlighted the importance of humanitarian and social commitment in crisis contexts.
Re(organizing) Mogadishu and surroundings
Beyond the humanitarian aspect, Italian soldiers focused on practical projects such as organizing markets and cleaning the streets in Mogadishu, a city cluttered with debris and obstacles. A microeconomy of open-air markets, which emerged along the main city roads and often based on bartering, replaced conventional trade but obstructed traffic and complicated the logistical operations of the multinational contingent.
The Folgore assigned one of its regiments the task of creating a master plan for their area in Somalia, which included clearing debris and repositioning markets. To implement the plan, the regiment consulted with neighborhood councils, listening to the needs of elders, priests, and key community figures. In the context of cleaning the streets in Mogadishu, some proposed outsourcing the work to local companies to generate employment, but the Paratrooper Brigade did not have funds for this purpose.
Some threatened armed resistance against the relocation of markets, fearing economic damage. Additionally, people involved in illegal trafficking opposed the master plan that would disrupt their illicit activities, highlighting the complexity of the situation and the challenges in restoring order.
After complex negotiations, agreements were reached for clearing debris in Mogadishu. The operations were carried out both by the regiment's machinery and by Somali workers, paid in kind (food and fuel) according to the "food for work" principle.
The raw materials needed for these activities were mainly provided by the Multinational Command and Non-Governmental Agencies in the area. This solution represented a compromise between different needs and perspectives.
Italian initiatives in Somalia, such as the reactivation of wells and the cleaning of irrigation channels, had a significant impact. In countries like Somalia, wells are vital for daily survival. Reactivating the wells reduced the need for local communities to travel long distances for water, pay for access, or move livestock. These actions significantly improved the lives of communities in arid and difficult areas.
In the context of industrial recovery in Somalia, the Paratrooper Brigade contributed symbolically by focusing efforts on a textile factory in Balad, the Somaltex, previously closed due to lack of resources. By partially reopening the factory and placing the first order (a thousand pairs of gym shorts), the paratroopers initiated an economic cycle based on the sale of products and the reinvestment of profits to reactivate other machinery. In fact, the condition was to allocate 50% of the proceeds to pay salaries, the remaining 50% for purchasing the spare parts needed to activate other machines.
This initiative was a great success, managing to create employment and also stimulate the transition of some militiamen to workers...
Military operations, eyes open and fingers on the trigger
Despite the excellent humanitarian work, it takes little to return to the reality of war.
The country is teeming with armed and unscrupulous militiamen, so military operations must be conducted, and will be, with professionalism and determination, focused on extending control over the Area of Responsibility and disarming the population.
Reconnaissance missions called "Odysseys" preceded the Humanitarian Operational Circuits (COU) to identify risk areas and assess the population's attitude. The disarmament process included more than a hundred operations, such as "Kangaroo", "Mongoose", "Hillaac", and "Drum", varying in force size, level of responsibility, and speed of execution.
These operations proved effective in seizing weapons and ammunition, contributing to the reduction of banditry and the improvement of security.
Change of Course
The "peace building" operations discussed in the report "An Agenda for Peace" by the UN Secretary-General involved 33 countries. During the command transition from UNITAF to UNOSOM II, military and humanitarian operations in the Italian sector continued intensely. With the transition, armored patrols increased at the request of UNOSOM II to counter potential militia actions. It is May 1993, the month passes very quickly.
This period of change was perceived as a critical and waiting moment in Mogadishu.
June 5, 1993
June 5, 1993 marks the beginning of a tragic period for UNOSOM: a unit of the Pakistani Contingent falls into an ambush and suffers heavy losses. In this critical situation, the rapid intervention of the Italian forces prevents worse consequences, managing to save 80 Pakistani soldiers and 10 marines, surrounded and with scarce ammunition.
The Clashes
At 10:40 in the morning, UNOSOM reports that near kilometer four, an area often the scene of firefights, Pakistani troops are facing harassment from armed militiamen, with ongoing shootings but without a direct threat to the Italian sector. In response, General Loi, as a precaution, puts the tank company stationed in Balad on alert.
Soon after, UNOSOM requests two armed helicopters from ITALFOR to support the Pakistani troops on the ground in the area of Via XXI October. The fighting is rapidly spreading, also involving the vicinity of Radio Mogadishu. The Italians are quickly and significantly reinforcing all their positions and checkpoints.
The Italian Intervention
The Italian helicopters immediately open fire on Somali snipers attacking a Pakistani patrol, escalating the tension of the situation. Around eleven-thirty, circumstances seem to worsen further. At the same time, the tank company, already previously alerted, moves towards the capital and receives the order to position itself on the northern outskirts, awaiting further instructions.
Amidst the noise of the fighting and the barricades erected by the militias in the northwestern part of the city, it reaches 2:00 PM. The situation becomes unbearable for the Pakistani Blue Helmets, and the UNOSOM Command asks General Loi to bring the tanks into the city to relieve the pressure on them.
However, before proceeding, it is essential to prepare adequately to ensure the mission's success and avoid ambushes. Aerial surveillance and the connection to receive real-time information become crucial, hence the presence of helicopters is necessary. It is also reported the influx of hundreds of guerrillas into the Pakistani sector, many of whom are equipped with anti-tank weapons.
Paratroopers and tank crews take their places aboard the armored vehicles and tanks, lining up in front of the former Italian Embassy. The plan is to proceed towards Via Nazionale, dividing the convoy into two groups advancing from different directions, to ensure mutual support in case of an attack. The final destination is the cigarette factory on Via XXI October, where Pakistani and American soldiers are besieged.
Flying at low altitude over the semi-destroyed neighborhoods of Mogadishu, the helicopters maintain their altitude despite the anticipation of possible enemy fire. Observers notice armed groups preparing to attack the factory on Via XXI October and report numerous corpses. The two groups of tanks and armored vehicles advance towards Via Nazionale, moving through a tense and threatening Mogadishu.
Along the way, they encounter the first mutilated bodies of the Pakistani soldiers, and the paratroopers prepare to collect them. The tension is palpable as the convoy approaches the cigarette factory to the north, with every soldier on alert for a possible clash, although for now, a silence prevails broken only by the roar of the tank engines.
Finally, the convoy reaches XXI October Street. From above, observers in helicopters report that the crowd, which just moments before was about to launch the final assault on the factory, is now retreating frightened into the narrow streets of the neighborhood, leaving the guerrillas disoriented. It is the moment to take advantage of the surprise effect, but as they approach the besieged, the latter fire at their own rescuers. The situation is ironic, if it weren't for the fact that the shots are real: it's the nervous tension that erupts, preventing clear thinking.
In less than thirty minutes, the Pakistani and American soldiers are safely on the tracked combat vehicles (VCC). They board the vehicles in an orderly and silent manner, visibly shaken. Meanwhile, helicopters fly menacingly over some buildings from which snipers attempt to target the troops, but find themselves almost looking into the eyes of the gunners. They decide to desist.
It is 17:10 when the retreat begins. The tracks of the vehicles crush the remaining, timid barricades as the convoy moves away thundering towards the West, marking the end of a fragile spring peace.
The Italians will soon notice it too.
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