The operation, known as 'Operation Gothic Serpent,' was aimed at capturing a top lieutenant of the Somali warlord Mohamed Farah Aidid, whose forces were responsible for destabilizing the country and attacking UN peacekeeping forces. On October 3, 1993, US soldiers launched a raid in downtown Mogadishu with the intention of capturing Aidid's associates. However, as forces moved to secure the area, they encountered unexpected resistance from heavily armed militia loyal to Aidid. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to intense street battles that caught US troops and local residents in crossfire. The operation stretched beyond planned expectations, leading to a prolonged firefight that would last for hours, far exceeding the original timeline and goals of the mission.

As night fell, the complexities of urban combat in Mogadishu became apparent. Rescues were attempted for stranded soldiers, but this also drew further attacks. The rescue operations turned into a chaotic series of attempts to evacuate American troops under fire, resulting in tragic consequences. By dawn, 18 American soldiers had died, and many others were wounded. On the Somali side, estimates of casualties were significantly higher, with over 350 reported dead. The event was widely broadcast in media worldwide, bringing the realities of military engagement in Somalia into the public eye and sparking intense debate in the United States about military intervention.