Somalia     -     1993 to 1996

Operation Solace was the Australian Defence Force's primary contribution for 1993 to humanitarian efforts in Somalia as part of the United Nations' Unified Task Force (UNITAF).

 

Operation Solace was the Australian Defence Force's main contribution to the Unified Task Force (UNITAF) which was a United States led, United Nations sanctioned, multinational force which operated in the Republic of Somalia from 9 December 1992 to 4 May 1993. Codenamed Operation Restore Hope, UNITAF was charged with carrying out United Nations Security Council Resolution 794: to create a protected environment for conducting humanitarian operations in the southern half of the Republic of Somalia.

 

Operation Solace centred on the deployment of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) battalion group to Baidoa in south-central Somalia. The 1 RAR battalion group replaced the 3rd Battalion, 9th United States Marine Regiment in Baidoa on 19 January 1993. The Battalion group was successful in improving the security situation and earned the respect of the non-government aid organisations operating in the region. The 1 RAR battalion group left Somalia on 21 May 1993.

 

The main Australian units deployed to Somalia during Operation Solace were:

 

• 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment battalion group
• HMAS Tobruk
• HMAS Jervis Bay

 

 

Unified Task Force in Somalia (UNITAF): 1992-1993

 

(Operation Solace) Strength: Approx 1,200. 1 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) Battalion Group, Australian HQ and HMAS Tobruk.

 

By late 1992, the catastrophic situation in Somalia had outstripped the UN’s ability to quickly restore peace and stability, mainly because the UN was hamstrung by insufficient forces and UN peacekeeping principles and methods could not cope with the need to use force in such complex situations. On 3 December 1992, UN Security Council Resolution 794 authorised a coalition of UN members led by the US to form UNITAF and intervene to protect the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restore peace.

 

Australia deployed a battalion plus supporting elements, including a squadron of armoured personnel carriers, HQ staff, engineers, communications and electronic warfare specialists, administrative elements and HMAS Tobruk. The RAAF was also used to move the Australian forces to and from the area of operations, and conducted regular resupply missions from Australia . The battalion group operated the 17,000 square kilometre Baidoa Humanitarian Relief Sector in south-western Somalia.

 

The battalion group was very successful at fostering and protecting humanitarian relief efforts and won widespread international praise for its efforts in restoring law and order and re-establishing functional legal, social and economic systems.

 

On 2 April 1993, Lance Corporal Shannon McAliney, Royal Australian Infantry, was accidentally shot dead while on patrol during these operations.

 

 

Second UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOMII) 1993-1996

 

Strength: 36 Movements and Air Traffic Control Staff, 12 man Ready Reaction Security Team (mainly SAS) and some HQ staff -- some 50 personnel per tour of duty-totalling approx 250.

 

On 5 May 1993, UNITAF handed over to a reinforced UNOSOM II. The Australian Battalion Group withdrew to Australia. The ADF Contingent provided movement control, air traffic control, some HQ staff and a ready reaction security team (mainly SAS) at the Mogadishu airport.

 

The Australian force was withdrawn in 1996.

 

Editor’s Note: Somalia today is a very different place from the Somalia seen by the Australians in 1993.The chaos that followed the massive UNBOSOM intervention has been replaced by security and stability in the north of the country and glimmers of hope for peace in the central and southern areas.

 

The most vulnerable populations in the conflict-prone southern areas of Somalia continue to receive help such as emergency food aid, international disaster assistance, vaccinations to prevent or impede epidemics, rehabilitation of health clinics and delivery of medicines, rehabilitation of wells and boreholes, distribution of seed and tools, and community based food aid project to rehabilitate irrigation canals and roads.

 

In 2001, the Integrated Strategic Plan for Somalia set the goal: ‘A more secure, less vulnerable Somalia in transition towards sustainable development’. (Source of information—USAID in Africa)

 

 

Casualties

Somalia

20 October 1992 to 30 November 1994

Number of Deaths  1