This is a list of military conflicts in which Somali armed forces participated in after independence.
Date Conflict Allies Enemies Result 1285-1286Ifat invasion of Shewa SultanateSultanate of IfatSultanate of shewa Victory Gidaya, Dawaro, Sawans, Bali, and Fatagar incorporated into the Ifat Sultanate. 1507-1542Somali–Portuguese conflicts Ajuran Sultanate Portuguese Empire Victory 1529-1543Ethiopian–Adal War Adal Sultanate Ethiopian Empire Victory1874–1885Egyptian invasion of HarargheEmirate of Harar Oromos Sultanate of Aussa Afar people Khedivate of Egypt Defeat Emirate of Harar occupied by Egypt.1886-1908Lafoole MasscreSomalis Italian Empire Victory 1900–1920Somaliland Campaign Dervish StateSupported by: (1915-1916) (1900-1904) Defeat Collapse of Dervish movement Consolidation of British Somaliland Consolidation of Italian Somaliland19221922 Burao tax revoltSomalia British Empire Victory 1963–1967 Shifta WarNorthern Frontier District Liberation Movement Supported by: Somali Republic Kenya Supported by: Cease-fire Protectorate Tax Policy abandoned19641964 Ethiopian–Somali Border War SomaliaSupported by: Egypt EthiopiaSupported by: United States Cease-fire Return to status quo ante bellum 1977–1978Ogaden War Somalia WSLFSupported by: Egypt. IraqSupported by: Defeat Somalia breaks all ties with the Soviet Bloc (except China and Romania). Beginning of the Somali Rebellion 19821982 Ethiopian–Somali Border WarSupported by: United States Somalia victory Ethiopian invasion halted Ethiopia occupies the border towns of Galdogob and Balanbale until 1988 The United States delivers emergency military and economic aid to Somalia 1993Operation Gothic Serpent Somalia United States United NationsVictory UNOSOM II Tactical Victory Somali National AllianceStrategic Victory 2009–presentSomali Civil War (2009–present) Somali Armed Forces
Supported by:
Non-combat support:
EUTM Somalia
UNPOS (1995–2013) UNTMIS (2025–present) UNSOA (2009–2016) UNSOS (2016–present) Independent regional forces Al-Qaeda and allies Al-Shabaab AQAP AQIM
Hizbul Islam (until 2010; 2012–2013) Alleged state allies: Multiple sources:
Multiple sources:
Quds ForceMultiple sources:
Multiple sources:
Alleged non-state allies: HouthisMultiple sources:
UN sources:
Somali pirates
(since 2015) Somalia Wilayah Allies IS-YP Somali pirates
Somaliland Armed Forces SSB Alleged support: Ongoing Merger and split between/of Hizbul Islam and al-Shabaab forces Kenyan military intervention in October 2011 Al-Shabaab becomes an official al-Qaeda affiliate in February 2012 Federal Government formed in August 2012 Formation of the Islamic State in Somalia in October 2015 Somali government launches a major offensive in August 2022, and takes at least a third of al-Shabaab territory Las Anod conflict between Somaliland and SSC-Khatumo begins in 2023 Ongoing constitutional crisis in Somalia since 2023, Puntland withdrew its recognition of the Federal Government and declared itself a de facto independent state. Jubaland crisis ongoing since 11 December 2024
References