Today in Manhunting History -- June 6, 1993: Somalia's Most Wanted

Although Muhamed Farah Aideed denied ordering the June 5 attack against the Pakistani peacekeepers, and asked for an inquiry, Radio Mogadishu declared the firefights a victory for the Somali people. “Brothers and sisters,” Aideed proclaimed, “I congratulate you today on the way you have defended with your lives your homes, religion, and your country . . . they [UNOSOM II] are directly responsible for the events that happened today.”

Muhamed Farah Aideed

Within 24 hours U.S. Ambassador to the UN Madeleine Albright and the Pakistani envoy presented a draft resolution to the Security Council placing responsibility for the attacks on Aideed and demanding his arrest. The other council members balked at explicitly personalizing the mission, however, so the final version of UNSCR 837 instead authorized UNOSOM II to take “all necessary measures against all those responsible for the armed attacks.” Nevertheless, from June 6 on the UN’s mission in Somalia was dominated by the strategic manhunt for Aideed.