Ridley Scott’s 2001 Academy Award-winning flick portrayed a failed US special forces mission to capture key aides of Somali warlord Muhammad Farrah Aidid.
The movie tells the story of what became known as the “Battle of Mogadishu” in 1993 which saw US troops become cut off and surrounded by thousands of Aidid’s militia, until they were rescued by their own comrades with the help of a Pakistani contingent from the United Nations’ peacekeeping mission.
Yet, few who saw the movie would have known that 114 Malaysian soldiers were also involved in the Bakara Market mission on Oct 3, 1993.
However, a new locally produced movie, released last week, is set to change that.
“Malbatt: Misi Bakara” brings to the fore the experiences of the Malaysian troops on that East African battlefield.
Battle reports show that the 19th Royal Malay Regiment, known as the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt), accompanied by US troops led a 70-vehicle column of armoured personnel carriers (APC) and a handful of Pakistani tanks to the first Black Hawk helicopter crash site deep within Aidid-controlled territory.
Among the soldiers was Major-General (Rtd) Rozi Baharom.
Their brief was to rescue trapped US forces and recover the bodies of the helicopter crew.
Then a lieutenant-colonel, Rozi’s planning was complicated by a requirement that each Condor APC used in the rescue mission could only contain a skeleton team of two crew and 12 troopers so as to leave space for rescued American soldiers.
As a result, many members of the regiment were told they could not be involved.
“They volunteered to go, they felt bad not to go; they felt sad,” said Rozi.
Capt (Rtd) Mazlan Fauzi, then a 27-year-old second lieutenant, recalled closing in on the Americans’ location but having to move at snail’s pace due to the narrow roads.
He said they were still a long way from their objective when the convoy suddenly came under fire from the Somali militia.
“We were expecting to come under fire closer to the objective, but I think the Somalis were prepared for us.”
Three APCs, including the one he was in, were struck by rocket-propelled grenades in an attack which saw Condor driver L/Cpl Mat Aznan Awang killed. Mat Aznan was posthumously promoted to corporal and awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa. Seven others were wounded in the attack.
Rozi said the loss of Mat Aznan hit him hard.
“The loss of the APC did not worry me too much but I knew I would have to answer about the eight people there.
“I was worried. I was worried about them more than (for) the vehicles. The safety of my boys was my prime concern.”
Mazlan said anyone who chooses to be a soldier must be ready to sacrifice his life for the country.
Yet, at the same time, officers like Rozi, who know the dedication and personal commitment of those under their command, also bear the burden of protecting their troops and ensuring their safe return.
“These soldiers are special people, they show courage, they show commitment,” Rozi said.
This Merdeka, “Malbatt: Misi Bakara” is playing in cinemas across the country as a tribute to our brave Malaysians.