Battle of Jowhar

Part of the War in Somalia (2006–2009)

A Transitional Federal Government soldier stands on a technical with an anti aircraft gun after arriving in Jowhar

Date	December 27, 2006
Location	Near Jowhar, Somalia
Result	Ethiopian/TFG victory

Belligerents

Islamic Courts Union

Pro-Islamist Militias
Foreign fighters

Transitional Federal Government

Ethiopia

The Battle of Jowhar was a battle in the 2006 Somali War fought between the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and affiliated militias against Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces for control of the town of Jowhar (located at 2°46′48″N 45°30′08″E / 2.78000°N 45.50222°E / 2.78000; 45.50222Coordinates: 2°46′48″N 45°30′08″E / 2.78000°N 45.50222°E / 2.78000; 45.50222). It began on December 27, 2006, when retreating ICU forces regrouped near their stronghold of Jowhar. It became the last major town and strategic stronghold of the ICU to fall to Ethiopian and TFG forces before the latter overtook Mogadishu two days later.

After failing to contain the TFG/Ethiopian push in the Battle of Baidoa, the ICU had gone into what it called a "tactical retreat", pulling from the front lines towards Mogadishu. Jowhar, a major city which had been taken from the ARPCT in June, had become a stronghold of the ICU and was where many had retreated to. Hundreds of civilian refugees fled Jowhar in anticipation of the fighting, adding to humanitarian concerns created by floods, hunger and disease.

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