State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert announced the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, pictured in 1992, on Wednesday. File Photo by Perry Heimer/U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- The United States re-established its permanent diplomatic residence in Somalia, which has been closed in Mogadishu since early 1991, the State Department announced.

Department of State spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Tuesday that officials reopened the Embassy on Sunday. The United States closed the Embassy on Jan. 5, 1991, as fighting between the Somali government and rebels escalated in Mogadishu.


Two years later, U.S. military forces clashed with rebel fighters in a conflict leading to the Battle of Mogadishu where 19 servicemen died and 73 sustained injuries. A portion of the battle was immortalized in the Hollywood film Black Hawk Down.

"This historic event reflects Somalia's progress in recent years and is another step forward in formalizing U.S. diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu since recognizing the federal government of Somalia in 2013," Nauert said.

"Our return demonstrates the United States' commitment to further advance stability, democracy, and economic development that are in the interest of both nations," she added.

Donald Yamamoto, the ambassador to Somalia who previously served as the acting assistant secretary of state for African affairs, was expected to lead the Embassy, The Hill reported.

"Ambassador Donald Yamamoto and his staff look forward to working closely with the people and the federal government of Somalia to strengthen our already close bilateral relationship in furtherance of these shared goals," Nauert said.