The Somali pilot ordered to bomb his own country
In 1988, Somali government forces began bombarding Hargeisa city, after it was occupied by rebels. One pilot faced a choice: bomb civilians or face the prospect of being shot.
At the end of May 1988, rebels from the Somali National Movement launched a series of lightning attacks on cities in northern Somalia - the area that today is the self-declared republic of Somaliland.
The rebels were fighting against the military dictatorship of President Siad Barre.
By the start of June, they had taken control of most of Hargeisa, the biggest city in the north.
Government forces fell back to Hargeisa airport and other areas on the outskirts and were ordered to begin the indiscriminate bombardment of the city.
At the time Ahmed Mohamed Hassan was a fighter pilot in the Somali air force.
He now faced a choice: join other pilots in bombing the city or refuse and face the prospect of being shot.
He鈥檚 been talking to Rob Walker.
(Photo: Ahmed Mohamed Hassan in 2023. Credit: Ahmed Mohamed Hassan)
Last on
More episodes
Broadcasts
- Tue 20 Jun 2023 07:50GMT91热爆 World Service
- Tue 20 Jun 2023 11:50GMT91热爆 World Service
- Tue 20 Jun 2023 17:50GMT91热爆 World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Tue 20 Jun 2023 21:50GMT91热爆 World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Wed 21 Jun 2023 02:50GMT91热爆 World Service
Featured in...
![]()
African history—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
Podcast
-
![]()
Witness History
History as told by the people who were there
