Somalia Channel and Indian Ocean to the east, and Ethiopia to the west. It lies between latitudes 2°S and 12°N, and longitudes 41° and 52°E. Strategically located at the mouth of the Bab el Mandeb gateway to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, the country occupies the tip of a region that, due to its resemblance on the map to a rhinoceros' horn, is commonly referred to as the Horn of Africa. Somalia has the longest coastline on the mainland of Africa, with a seaboard that stretches . Its terrain consists mainly of plateaus, plains and highlands. The nation has
2013 timeline of the War in Somalia 2013 timeline of the War in Somalia This is a 2013 timeline of events in the War in Somalia (2009–present). Shelling in a Mogadishu Market kills 3 The Battle of Beledweyne began when Ahlu Sunna Waljama'a forces attacked and captured East Beledweyne which was being held by the Hizbul Islam insurgent group. It became the first battle in months were al-Shabaab and Hizbul Islam groups cooperated against the TFG. UPI reports that five are killed, and seven wounded in inter-factional fighting in Hiiraan region in central Somalia, near the town of Beledweyn . A report from Shabelle Radio reports "heavy