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Bombing of Hargeisa and Burao (1988)
	Part of Somaliland War of Independence
	; Hargeisa after the bombardment campaign
Date	May–July 1988
Location	Hargeisa and Burao, Somaliland (then Northern Somalia)
Result	Somalian victory 90% of Hargeisa Destroyed; 70% of Burao Destroyed; Civillian population Devastated;
Belligerents
Somalia	SNM
Commanders and leaders
Mohamed Siad Barre; Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan	Siilaanyo; Mohamed Farah Dalmar Yusuf †; Ibrahim Degaweyne; Mohamed Kahin Ahmed; Muse Bihi;
Casualties and losses
Heavy	Both cities devastated; Almost all population either displaced or killed; [citation needed]

The destruction of Hargeisa and Burao (Somali: duqayntii Hargeysa iyo Burco) occurred in 1988 during the Somali Civil War. It was part of a counteroffensive launched by the Somali government under President Mohamed Siad Barre against the Somali National Movement (SNM), an opposition group active in northern Somalia (modern-day Somaliland). The campaign involved indiscriminate aerial bombardments and ground assaults on the cities of Hargeisa and Burao, resulting in large-scale destruction and civilian casualties.^[1] It is estimated that 90% of Hargeisa and 70% of Burao were destroyed, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians.^[2]

Background

The Somali Civil War began in the late 1980s as opposition groups emerged against the military regime of Siad Barre. The SNM, composed primarily of members of the Isaaq clan, sought to overthrow Barre's government and establish autonomy in the northern regions.^[3] By mid-1988, the SNM had launched Successful offensive and captured key areas in Hargeisa and Burao. In response, the Somali regime initiated a massive military operation to retake the cities and crush the rebellion.

Destruction of Hargeisa

The city of Hargeisa, home to approximately 500,000 people at the time, faced heavy aerial bombardments by the Somali Air Force. Residential neighborhoods, markets, and infrastructure were targeted indiscriminately.^[4] It is reported that 90% of the city was destroyed, with widespread civilian casualties.^[5] Survivors described the city as being "reduced to rubble," with entire neighborhoods leveled. The destruction caused mass displacement, with most residents fleeing to refugee camps in neighboring Ethiopia.^[2]

Battle and Bombing of Burao

The SNM successfully captured the city of Burao on May 27, 1988, marking a significant victory for the group. However, the Somali regime retaliated by conducting aerial bombardments and artillery strikes, destroying 70% of the city's infrastructure.^[6] The destruction resulted in widespread loss of civilian life and the death of Mohamed Ali, a key SNM leader who played a prominent role in the battle.^[7]

Key Commanders

**Mohamed Siad Barre** – President of Somalia and architect of the military campaign.
**Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan** – Colonel in the Somali Army and leader of the counteroffensive. He was referred to as the "Butcher of Hargeisa" for his role in overseeing the destruction.^[7]
**Somali Air Force pilots** – Conducted indiscriminate bombings, targeting civilian areas and infrastructure.^[8]

Aftermath

The destruction of Hargeisa and Burao had a catastrophic impact on northern Somalia.

Estimates place the civilian death toll between 50,000 and 100,000.^[5]
The widespread destruction displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom fled to refugee camps in Ethiopia.^[2]
The events of 1988 are recognized as war crimes, with Colonel Morgan and the Siad Barre regime blamed for their roles in the atrocities.^[7]