Somali Salvation Front

The group was formed in 1978 by Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, Osman Nuur Ali Qonof, Mustafa Haji Nuur, and Omar Hassan Mahamed to counter former Somali dictator Siad Barre’s oppressive regime. Ethiopia supported the group due to its interests against Barre’s regime. The SSF conducted raids and attacks on Barre’s government, and it drew support from the powerful Majerteen Clan. As it grew in strength, the SSF merged with the Somali Workers Party and the Somali Democratic Liberation Front to create the Somali Salvation Democratic Front in 1981.