Key statistics

1979
First Recorded Activity

First Attack
2025
Profile Last Updated

How to Cite

Crenshaw, M., & Robinson, K. (2025). Mapping Militants Project. Rice University. https://doi.org/10.25613/G0K4-WF70
Mapping Militants Project. “Somali National Movement.” Last modified August 4, 2025. https://mappingmilitants.org/node/3039/

Profile Contents

Narrative

Narrative of the Organization's History

Organization

Leadership, Name Changes, Size Estimates, Resources, Geographic Locations

Strategy

Ideology, Aims, Political Activities, Targets, and Tactics

Interactions

Foreign Designations and Listings, Community Relations, Relations with Other Groups, State Sponsors and External Influences

Maps

Mapping relationships with other militant groups over time in regional maps

Main Tabs Group

Overview
Formed: 
January 1, 1979
Disbanded: 
March 1, 1991

Based in the support of the Isaaq clans of northern Somalia, the Somali National Movement (SNM) was founded in 1982 in London to counter Siad Barre’s regime in Somalia. With the support of Ethiopia, the SNM engaged in guerrilla warfare against the oppressive regime. Even after Ethiopia signed a peace accord with Somalia in 1988, the SNM continued operations against government forces in their home territories in northern Somalia. By 1991, the group had secured the northern Somaliland region and declared the region it controlled as the independent Republic of Somaliland. The SNM has since become a political organization rather than a militant organization. The original goal of undermining the Siad regime had been completed, but the group began to adopt ideas of Somaliland independence towards the end of the conflict with the Somali government. Populations in northern Somalia were in favor of independence, and the democratic SNM leadership listened to and followed the public opinion.  

Organization

Vertical Tabs

Strategy

Vertical Tabs

Interactions

Vertical Tabs