June 1993 attack on Pakistani military in Somalia

The June 5th 1993 attack on the Pakistani military was a major confrontation that occurred concurrently in different parts of the Somali capital of Mogadishu, between Somali citizens & militias against the Pakistani peacekeeping contingent of UNOSOM II.

The incident was provoked by an attempt by UNOSOM troops to inspect or shut down Radio Mogadishu, then controlled by the Somali National Alliance (SNA). The SNA, under the leadership of General Mohammed Farah Aidid, denied initiating the attack and demanded an unbiased commission to ascertain the culprits. Dozens of UNOSOM troops, insurgents and civilians were killed or wounded in the battle. Several UN forces were killed by friendly fire from attack helicopters attempting to relieve them. A UN inquiry later asserted that although the attack was probably not premeditated, the SNA was most likely responsible for initiating it.

Over a week after the battle Pakistani troops fired on Somali protestors with a machine gun, killing dozens of civilians.

The death of the Pakistani troops marked a seminal moment for UN mission to Somalia. It was one of the deadliest losses of UN peacekeepers and resulted in the operation being primarily characterized by the hunt for General Aidid. Following the passing of UNSCR 837 on 6 June 1993, UNOSOM II and the SNA would engage in a devastating four-month long conflict until the cessation of hostilities following the Battle of Mogadishu.