Attacks a horrific reminder of Mogadishu atrocity

THE horrific attacks in Fallujah brought back memories of the savage attack on US troops in Somalia in 1992.

The images of mutilated bodied being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu forced the US administration to withdraw its troops.

On December 9, 1992, the first of 25,000 troops sent to defend famine-relief efforts in Somalia arrived in Mogadishu.

On August 26, 440 Task Force Ranger troops arrived to capture clan leader General Mohamed Farrah Aidid and his lieutenants.

On October 3, members of Task Force Ranger received information Aidid would be at a meeting in a house next to the Olympic Hotel. A detachment headed out via Blackhawk helicopters, towards their target.

They captured 20 prisoners but not Aidid. A black hawk, Super 61, was hit by gunfire and crashed. Super 64 was also hit and crashed a half mile away, with four crew members. All of the crew bar one were killed, mutilated and paraded in front of the cameras by crowds.

Eighteen US soldiers were killed.