Which operation involved Marines in firefights while conducting humanitarian missions in Somalia?

The operation that involved Marines in firefights while conducting humanitarian missions in Somalia is Operation Restore Hope. This operation took place in the early 1990s and was aimed at alleviating the famine and civil unrest that had struck the country.

It is significant because it marked the U.S. military's engagement in humanitarian efforts during a time of crisis. During Operation Restore Hope, U.S. forces, including Marines, faced significant challenges, including armed conflicts with local factions as they attempted to deliver aid and stabilize the situation. The intent behind the operation was to secure the distribution of food and medical supplies to the starving population, demonstrating how military intervention can sometimes intertwine with humanitarian objectives.

Other operations listed, such as Operation Phantom Fury, are primarily associated with combat missions in Iraq, while Operation Desert Shield focused on the buildup of forces in the Gulf prior to combat during Desert Storm, and Operation Enduring Freedom pertains to actions in Afghanistan in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Thus, none of those operations specifically involved the dual mission of humanitarian aid combined with firefights in Somalia.