Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 8, 1993 TAG: 9301080076
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The New York Times
DATELINE: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA LENGTH: Medium
ARSENAL CAPTURED IN SOMALIA
In the sharpest clash involving American troops since they landed nearly a month ago, about 400 Marines attacked a camp of one of Mogadishu's chief warlords on Thursday, destroying several buildings, capturing a large cache of weapons and killing or wounding many gunmen.The Somalis were allied to Gen. Mohamed Farrah Aidid, the clan leader who controls most of the southern half of Somalia. Much of the camp, enclosed by an 8-foot-high wall and containing four buildings on the outskirts of the capital, was reduced to rubble.
The official explanation for the attack was that Marines had been fired on by gunmen from the Aidid compound. But beyond the Marines' desire to deter any further attacks was a signal that the United States intended to take more seriously the difficult task of insuring stability in Mogadishu and other towns. In recent days, gunmen who had retreated after the arrival of American forces became more bold and willing to fire on aid workers, journalists and even troops.
"This is definitely meant to convey a message that we won't tolerate being shot at," said Col. Red Peck, the chief American military spokesman. "If people set out deliberately to ambush us while we're riding by, it's totally unacceptable, and this is the consequence we want to convey to them."
As the early morning operation on Thursday was being prepared, one Marine was shot in the abdomen by another soldier in what military spokesman described as a case of mistaken identity. The wounded Marine is expected to recover fully, the spokesman said.
The American attack began at dawn as the Marines pounded the camp with tank and artillery fire, while Huey and heavily armed Cobra helicopter gunships whizzed overhead, launching anti-tank missiles virtually at will.
The Somalis responded with a barrage of anti-aircraft, artillery and heavy machine-gun fire. But the Marines' assault proved overwhelming, and many of the Somali fighters soon fled their positions.
At least 15 Somali fighters surrendered, Wilhelm said, and many more fled into the bush. He added that the Marines would probably never know how many Somali casualties there were.