Without adducing any factual evidence, some poorly informed researchers have asserted that the forces of 'Aideed and Siyad were racially motivated in their attacks on the less belligerent farmers of this fertile region. Although the pastoral nomads traditionally tend to despise cultivators, these militia attacks were inspired by their desire to seize livestock and grain and take control of this fertile region which is the breadbasket of southern Somalia. Their predatory success was aided by their superior, clan-based military organization and firepower.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 890