Battle of Mogadishu

Aidid, a warlord in Somalia, declared war on America by refusing to allow relief aid to reach his people and by his resistance of the UN's attempt to bring peace to Somalia. Aidid was a leader among Somali clans that had banded together to take down the Somali president, but then went out on his own to try to take control. Several years of fighting in and around Mogadishu resulted, leading to the involvement of the UN and American troops.

On October 3, American leaders learned that there was to be a meeting of clan leaders of the Haber Gidr clan in Mogadishu that would include two important members of Aidid's gang. After a disappointing raid on a safe house several months before, leaders in Somalia were cautious, but eager to have some success in Mogadishu. They plan what was meant to be a quick, less than...