In 1992, US armed forces, together with the United Nations, undertook a joint relief operation in Somalia, a country wracked by civil war and famine. Increasing violence in the area led to "Operation Gothic Serpent," a US mission to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid's top advisors, but two US helicopters were shot down, and an urban battle ensued. Eighteen US servicemen and thousands of Somalis died in the fighting. What went wrong even before the helicopters were shot down? Discuss (http://forum.thefreedictionary.com/postst68124_Battle-of-Mogadishu-Begins--1993-.aspx)