Somali National Movement

The Somali National Movement (SNM) was an opposition group formed in 1982, primarily supported by the Isaaq clan in Somalia's northern regions. The SNM, along with the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), conducted guerrilla operations from Ethiopia against the Siad Barre regime.12

Following Somalia's defeat in the Ogaden War, clan pressures intensified, and an attempted coup in 1978 led to the formation of these opposition groups. A peace accord in 1988 between Ethiopia and Somalia, which obliged Ethiopia to cease supporting Somali rebels, ironically triggered civil war within Somalia. The SNM attacked government forces in their home region, leading to a bitter conflict. In 1991, the SNM secured control of the former British Somaliland region and declared it the independent Republic of Somaliland.12