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Somalia The Armed Forces in National Life
The armed forces traditionally had enjoyed considerable
prestige in Somali society. The military's early popularity was
reflected in the fact that its numbers were maintained without
resort to conscription. Chronic manpower shortages, however,
compelled the government to institute a draft in 1984
(see Manpower, Training, and Conditions of Service
, this ch.). For
most of its postindependence history, the military had been
involved in conflicts against its neighbors or against domestic
insurgent groups.
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