the ICU would abandon its last urban stronghold in the city of Kismayo, far south of Mogadishu and the remaining leadership would flee to Eritrea. Following the Ethiopian invasion and subsequent occupation, the Islamic Courts Union disbanded and Somalia once again began slipping into a state of chaos. Between 2007 and 2008 approximately two-thirds of Mogadishu's residents would be forced to flee the growing violence in the city, and Somalia began to experience one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history. Aftermath Somalia after the ICU The Islamic Courts Union had actively fought pirate activity on the Somali coast, and consequently piracy would thrive in their wake. Al Shabaab, an obscure organization at this point, would gain immense popularity as a resistance group fighting against the Ethiopians. Consequently much of Somalia south of Mogadishu would become Al Shabaab ruled territory. See also African Union Mission to Somalia Notes and references Factions in the Somali Civil War Islamic Courts of Somalia Law of Somalia Islamic Courts of Somalia Islam in Somalia Islamic courts and tribunals