Operation Solace was the

Australian Defence Force The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is the Armed forces, military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia and its national interests. It consists of three branches: the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Australian Army and the Royal Aus ...

's main contribution to the Unified Task Force (UNITAF) which was a

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

led,

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

sanctioned, multinational force which operated in the Republic of Somalia from 9 December 1992 to 4 May 1993. Codenamed Operation Restore Hope, UNITAF was charged with carrying out

United Nations Security Council Resolution 794 United Nations Security Council resolution 794, adopted unanimously on 3 December 1992, after reaffirming resolutions United Nations Security Council Resolution 733, 733 (1992), United Nations Security Council Resolution 746, 746 (1992), United N ...

: to create a protected environment for conducting humanitarian operations in the southern half of the Republic of Somalia. Operation Solace centred on the deployment of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR) battalion group to

Baidoa Baidoa (, Somali (Af-Maxaa): , ) is the largest city of the South West State of Somalia. Between 2002 and 2014, Baidoa was the capital of the South West State. In 2014, the capital was changed to Barawa. Overview Baydhabo is the main hub of ...

in south-central Somalia. The 1 RAR battalion group replaced the 3rd Battalion, 9th United States Marine Regiment in Baidoa on 19 January 1993. The Battalion group was successful in improving the security situation and earned the respect of the non-government aid organisations operating in the region. The 1 RAR battalion group left Somalia on 21 May 1993. The main Australian units deployed to Somalia during Operation Solace were: * 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment battalion group * HMAS ''Tobruk'' * HMAS ''Jervis Bay''

References

* www.anzacday.org.a
Somalia 1993–1996
* John Hunter Farrel

in Australia and New Zealand Defender.

References

Further reading