In response to the request of the UN that had already ordered the launch of UNOSOM (United Nations Operation in Somalia) in order to face the situation in the Country (a two-year civil war, famine and pestilence), on 13th December the first Italian Units started to flow in Somalia in the context of the multinational humanitarian operation "Restore Hope".
Named ITALFOR-IBIS, the Italian contingent was based on the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" and included personnel of the Navy and the Air Force.
Since 4th May 1993, the multinational mission "Restore Hope" began a UN Mission and the Forces deployed passed under the operational control of the UNOSOM I Command.
In September 1993, the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" was substituted by the motorized Brigade "Legnano". On 16th January 1994 the retreat of our contingent started, with a slow release of the areas of responsibility.
The operation ended on 21st March 1994. The Units of the Army, employed in the operation "IBIS", operated in an area of responsibility 360 km deep and 150km large: from Mogadishu to the Ethiopian border. They fulfil their task respecting the spirit of the UN mandate.
During the mission, eleven Italian soldiers died, along with a volunteer nurse of the Red Cross and two RAI journalists.