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(To see other maps in this series, view all Somalia updates.)
Map by Evan Centanni, from basemap by onestopmap.com
Mid-2023 saw a 15-year low point in control by Somalia's Al Qaeda-affiliated rival government Al Shabaab in its war against the coalition represented by the country's internationally-recognized federal government. On the very same day, history recorded a striking victory for the SSC-Khatumo movement, which overnight achieved its major objective of breaking away from self-proclaimed independent Somaliland, with the goal of joining federal Somalia as a state of its own.
During the same period, forces of the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) turned the tables on Al Shabaab fighters in the north's Almiskat (Cal Miskaad) Mountains, beginning to retake control from the vindictive rival group. In southern and central Somalia, the international troops of the African Union's ATMIS force completed the first planned phase of their partial withdrawal from the country. And two small insurrections sprung up, with dissidents declaring a "Hiran State" (also spelled "Hiiraan State") separate from Somalia's Hirshabelle, while "Ga'an Libah" (Gacan Libaax) militias carried out an insurgency in central Somaliland.
See all this and more on the latest update to PolGeoNow's concise, professional Somalia control map, which includes a timeline of territorial changes and key events since our previous Somalia map report illustrating the situation in January 2023, with sources cited.
This map and report are premium content, available to paid subscribers of the PolGeoNow Conflict Mapping Service.
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Exclusive map report includes:
- Illustration of current territorial control across all areas claimed by Somalia in late August 2023, color-coded for the federal government coalition (including ATMIS peacekeepers), autonomous unionist forces (Puntland and SSC-Khatumo), separatist Somaliland, Al Qaeda affiliate Al Shabaab, and fighters aligned with the so-called "Islamic State" (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL). Areas of mixed or unclear control indicated separately. Colorblind accessible.
- Boundaries and labels for Somalia's official regions and states, including the self-proclaimed independent Republic of Somaliland and federal states Puntland, Galmudug, Jubaland, South West, and Hirshabelle. Illustrates the claims of both sides in the Somaliland-Puntland border dispute, as well as actual control.
- Detailed indication of city-by-city control, including many relevant smaller towns and villages.
- Locations of recent fighting and other important events, including Lasanod (Las Anod, Laas Canood, Laascaanood), Gumays (Guumeys), Elbur (Ceel Buur), Osweyne (Oswein, Cowsweyne), Goja'ade (Goojacadde), Run Nirgod (Ruun-Nirgood), Garasyani (Garasiyaani), Shebab (Sheebaab), Bulo Marer (Buulo Mareer) and many more.
- Beginner-friendly summary of major shifts and milestones in Somalia's civil war during early to mid-2023
- Detailed timeline of territorial control changes (including airspace) and selected key political and military events from January 17, 2023 to August 25, 2023, with sources cited. Includes events related to claims of Al Shabaab control in neighboring Kenya, as well as developments in administration of Somali airspace and Somalia's membership in international organizations.
- Chronicle of key developments in the self-proclaimed Republic of Somaliland's quest for international recognition as an independent country (events included as part of timeline)
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