Battle of Bandiradley

Part of the War in Somalia (2006–2009)

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Date	December 23–25, 2006
Location	Bandiradley, Somalia
Result	Ethiopian/Puntland victory

Belligerents

Islamic Courts Union

Ethiopia

Puntland

Commanders and leaders

Mohamed Mohamud Agaweine

Puntland: Gen. Adde Musa
Abdulrahman Said Dhegaweyne
Warlord Col. Abdi Qeybdid

Strength

N/A

500+

Casualties and losses

N/A

1 helicopter gunship

The Battle of Bandiradley in Somalia began on December 23, 2006, when Puntland and Ethiopian forces, along with faction leader Abdi Qeybdid, fought Islamic Courts Union (ICU) militants defending Bandiradley. The fighting pushed the Islamists out of Bandiradley and over the border south into Adado district, Galgadud region, by December 25.

The battle has roots in the long-standing Somali Civil War. The areas of Galgudud and Mudug were drawn into the conflict arising between the state of Puntland, and the areas coming under the control of the ICU. While local leaders tried to organize into the autonomous state of Galmudug, over time it was forced to side with the forces of Puntland and Ethiopia in order to repel the ICU.

The borders of Galgadud and Mudug regions were under dispute with Ethiopia following the August 1982 border clashes. The towns of Balanbale and Goldogob had been under Ethiopian occupation from that time up until June 1988 when all troops were to pull back 9 miles from the disputed borders, and Ethiopia granted back the towns to Somalia.

On March 7–8, 1999, Ethiopia claimed it had made a cross-border incursion into Ballanballe searching for members of Al-Itihaad al-Islamiya (AIAI) who had reportedly kidnapped a person and stolen medical supplies, and denied reports of looting. Allegations from that time also claim Ethiopia was the supplier of various Somali warlords, while Eritrea was arming other warlords.

On August 14, 2006, local tribal leaders opposed to the advance of the ICU, as well as wishing autonomy from the state of Puntland, organized Ethio-Puntland Militias and put Abdi Qeybdid in charge of them.

On November 12, the ICU took the town of Bandiradley after a firefight with the forces of Abdi Qeybdid.

On November 13, the President of Puntland, General Adde Musa personally led 50 battlewagons to Galkayo to confront the Islamists.

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Wikipedia