Thus, failure though it was, U.N.O.S.O.M. inadvertently played a major role in shaping the future political economy of Mogadishu and southern Somalia. U.N. headquarters was located in southern Mogadishu which was now dominated by militias based on segments of 'Aideed's Habar Gidir clansmen, who, for the most part, had invaded the city during and after the guerrilla operations which overthrew Siyad Barre in 1991. Without considering the implications, the U.N. had recruited large numbers of Somali ancillary staff from this clan, which also derived an important income from backhanders it imposed when renting property and supplying transport to aid organizations. These funds paradoxically, helped to finance 'Aideed's fight against U.N.O.S.O.M., as well as supplying him with intelligence while disseminating misinformation.

I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Som…, loc. 645