| Somali Patriotic Movement | |
|---|---|
| Leaders | SPM-Ogadeni (SPM-SNA):
SPM-Harti:
|
| Dates of operation | Unified: 1989–1992 SPM-Ogadeni: 1992–2004 SPM-Harti: 1992–2003 |
| Group(s) | Ogaden (SPM 'Ogadeni') and non-Ogaden (known as SPM 'Harti') |
| Headquarters | Kismayo |
| Active regions | southern Somalia |
| Ideology | Anti-communism Anti-Siad Barre |
| Allies | SSDF Before split: United Somali Congress (USC) |
| Opponents | SPM-Harti: Juba Valley Alliance (JVA) |
The Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM, Somali: Dhaqdhaqaaqa Wadaniga Soomaaliyeed, Arabic: الحركة الوطنية الصومالية) was a major politico-military faction during the early years of the Somali Civil War. It was founded and commanded by ahmed Omar Jess who were based in what is presently Jubaland region.
The organization was founded by a group of disaffected senior military officers, primarily from the Ogaden and Absame, led by Col. Bililiqo. The initial area of operations centered on the Jubaland region and the Kenyan border (mid and Lower Jubba). They were early allies of the United Somali Congress (USC) in operations against the regime of Siad Barre. A key accomplishment was the seizure of the highly strategic Baledogle Airbase in the days prior to Barre's flight from Mogadishu.[1]
However, after Barre's flight, when Ali Mahdi's Manifesto Group announced the formation of an "interim government" without consulting SPM leadership, a crisis ensued. After fighting broke out between the Manifesto Group supporters and the SPM, the SPM was accused of suddenly reversing direction and allied itself with Barre, who was seeking to reestablish his regime. This reversal was angrily resisted by many of the original Ogadeni, who split off into their own faction.
The SPM thus sundered into two tribal-oriented factions:
On August 12, 1992, the SPM mainly Absame faction joined General Aidid to form the Somali National Alliance. The SPM fractured along tribal lines, and massacres and ethnic cleansing began between the two rival factions, as well as their external enemies.
In 1998, the SPM (Harti/Absame) under General "Morgan", based out of Kismayo, founded the autonomous state of Jubaland. They were strenuously opposed by the Allied Somali Forces, which later became the Juba Valley Alliance. The SPM and ASF/JVA contended over the control of south Somalia until the JVA proved victorious, driving General "Morgan" into exile.
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