The peacekeepers are gone, and two years after the U.N. mission began warlords once again are in charge in Somalia.
U.S. Marines on Thursday escorted the last U.N. peacekeepers from Mogadishu's shores to waiting warships, quietly ending the two-year, $2 billion intervention. The move of 1,500 American and 350 Italian marines from a small beach cove back to their ships ended ahead of schedule at 12:59 a.m. Friday.During the final withdrawal, the Marines exchanged fire with Somali gunmen several times. The U.S. commanding officer, Lt. Gen. Anthony C. Zinni, indicated at least four Somalis died but said, "I don't count bodies."
Five Somalis were killed by Marines before the final withdrawal began.
The three-day mission ended somewhat embarrassingly for Zinni. He was riding back to his ship in an amphibious assault vehicle when its engine died, leaving it bobbing and drifting in the Indian Ocean. He and the 18 other Marines on board were picked up after more than two hours.
The Pentagon said no American ships or aircraft would remain in the area.
The multinational mission failed in establishing a functioning government for Somalia, but it did end the mass starvation that, along with war and disease, killed 350,000 Somalis in 1992.
U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said international efforts to bring peace and humanitarian aid to Somalia will continue. "The U.N. will not abandon Somalia," he said.
He added, though, that aid deliveries would depend on the cooperation of Somali leaders.
Most relief groups have withdrawn international staff from Mogadishu to reassess security, though the Red Cross is still providing emergency aid to three of the capital's hospitals.
Emergency stocks of food and medicine have been stored in Somalia, and U.N. officials say Somalia had strong harvests the past two years, precluding an immediate return to widespread hunger.
Nine U.N. agencies and 38 private aid groups are still planning to run operations in health care, education and agriculture, but not in Mogadishu.
The Horn of Africa nation has lacked a government since former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was ousted in 1991. Since then, despite U.N. mediation attempts, Somali warlords have been unable to unite under one government.
Diplomats and aid workers have said repeatedly they expect Somalia's two major warlords, Ali Mahdi Mohamed and Mohamed Farrah Aidid, to battle for control of the capital's port and airport now that foreign troops are gone.
Aidid's militia moved into the airport and seaport after U.N. troops pulled out. There was sporadic shooting Friday at both places by militiamen trying to keep looters from sneaking into the facilities.
Aidid held a news conference at his home in Mogadishu Friday denouncing the U.N. mission and criticizing the use of force by peacekeepers over the past two years.