Here is a chronology of recent events in Somalia:
1991
Jan. 5 - Heavy fighting breaks out in Mogadishu between rebels of the United Somali Congress and troops of President Mohamed Siad Barre. The United States and Soviet Union, who over two decades had flooded the nation with arms, close down their missions.
Jan. 28 - Siad Barre flees the capital, ending his 22-year dictatorship.
Nov. 17 - Fighting forces the U.N. staff to withdraw.
Dec. 23 - U.N. secretary general orders UNICEF to return to Mogadishu.
1992
Feb. 14 - Two factions, led by General Mohammed Farah Aidid and interim President Mohammed Ali Mahdi, agree to immediate cease-fire and promise negotiations.
Feb. 29 - U.N.-sponsored negotiations begin.
March 3 - Cease-fire signed by Ali Mahdi and Aidid.
March 5 - First U.N.-chartered relief ship is fired on while entering Mogadishu harbor. Ship returns to Kenya.
July 5 - First of 50 U.N. cease-fire observers arrive in Mogadishu.
July 27 - U.N. Security Council approves emergency airlift of relief supplies for the estimated 30 percent of the population believed to be starving to death.
Aug. 12 - Aidid agrees to allow 500 U.N. troops into country to protect relief convoys.
Aug. 14 - The United States begins an emergency airlift of food to Somalia and refugees in Kenya.
Aug. 28 - First four relief planes land in Belet Uen. Three guards killed and two U.N. military observers wounded by gunmen in Mogadishu when they refuse to stop for attackers.
Sept. 14 - 40 armed U.N. troops arrive in Mogadishu to help protect relief supplies. United Nations authorizes 3,000 additional troops.
Sept. 16 - U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announces 2,400 Marines en route to waters off Somalia for command and control of U.S. airlift planes.
Sept. 28 - Final contingent of 500-man Pakistani infantry battalion arrives in Mogadishu.
Oct. 12 - United Nations announces 100-day crash program to accelerate food shipments.
Nov. 24 - U.N. relief ship carrying 10,000 tons of food shelled while trying to enter harbor; returns to sea.
Nov. 25 - United States offers its troops to enforce distribution of food and aid as part of a multinational force.
Nov. 30 - U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali recommends use of military force.
Dec. 3 - U.N. Security Council votes to send U.S.-led military force to ensure food aid is not looted.
Dec. 9 - Operation Restore Hope begins as American Marines land to secure Mogadishu's airport and harbor.