What happened to the Somalis in Surviving Black Hawk Down? Details explored

Netflix's latest docuseries, Surviving Black Hawk Down, recounts the Bloody Battle of Mogadishu, which is a dark spot in Somali history.

Ridley Scott's 2001 war film Black Hawk Down, which won two Academy Awards is also based on this incident, which shocked the entire nation.

What started as a manhunt for a Somali warlord turned into a bloody battle, which resulted in the deaths of 18 US soldiers, the highest killed US troops since the Vietnam War, according to The Washington Post.

In October 1993, after US troops entered Somalia to capture Mohamed Farah Aidid, leader of the Somali National Alliance, they met with resistance from Somali soldiers, resulting in the deaths of approximately 200 Somali locals. The exact number was never released.

Produced by Ridley Scott Productions, this three-part docuseries recounts the harrowing events of the war and how it has continued to shape Somali history.

More on Surviving Black Hawk Down in our story.

What was the Battle of Mogadishu in Surviving Black Hawk Down?

During the 1980s, there was great political unrest in Somalia, which was heightened because of food shortages and famine. UN peacekeepers were sent to the city, partly to restore the central government.

Warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid, who was the leader of the National Somali Alliance killed 24 UN peacemakers in June 1993, prompting the US government to wage a war against Aidid and his men. But this search for Aidid caused problems for the local Mogadishu residents, and they also joined the rebellion against the US.

As recounted in Surviving Black Hawk Down, On October 3, 1993, the then Army Rangers heard Aidid's two lieutenants were meeting in the city, and troops were sent to raid and capture them.

The raid turned into a bloody battle after Somali soldiers attacked the US Army, killing 18-24 of them. In addition, they also successfully took down three Black Hawk US helicopters, giving the event its name.

In addition, approximately 200 Somalis lost their lives in this incident, but the actual death count was never revealed.

Who is featured in Netflix's Surviving Black Hawk Down?

Surviving Black Hawk Down features interviews from both sides- the US Delta team and the Somalis, whose families were caught in this bloody battle.

In addition to the men and women, the series also features a photographer who documented the chaotic events of the Battle of Mogadishu.

Out of the Black Hawk US helicopters which were taken down by the Somalis, a US pilot, Michael Durant, was saved from the explosion in hopes of making him a prisoner to gain leverage. In an interview with BBC News, he recounts the bloodshed of that day:

"It was a huge gun battle. They say that 25 Somalis were killed by gunfire at crash site two, so that gives you some insight into how much shooting was going on,"

The docuseries capture the essence of the loss and destruction the Somali families faced during the war, and how they dealt with the aftermath of it.