Africa

Conflicting reports about Ethiopian forces crossing into Somalia

August 28, 2010   ·   1796012 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fconflicting-reports-about-ethiopian-forces-crossing-into-somalia-17960Conflicting+reports+about+Ethiopian+forces+crossing+into+Somalia2010-08-29+01%3A42%3A49Mohamed+H.+Gulaidhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D17960

DOLO (Somalilandpress) — Conflicting reports are emerging from Somali-Ethiopian borders about Ethiopian troops crossing into Somalia to support the weak Transitional Government in face of increasing attacks by the militant group, Al-Shabab. Numbers of reporters inside Somalia have reported that they saw Ethiopian military forces accompanied by Somali troops inside Somali borders.

Ethiopian new outlet Addis Neger Online reports that about 1,000 troops crossed into the towns of Beledhawa and Elwak.

Ethiopia has large military presence near the borders with Somalia.  According to Adis Neger Online  nearly 6,000 soldiers are also deployed on the border town of Dolo. Dolo is a town that border Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya. The troops have reportedly been stationed in Dolo for the last three weeks.

The militant group Al-Shabab have intensify their attacks against the Somali government in the last few days. On Wednesday of this week 31 people were killed in suicide attack in Mogadishu. Six of the victims were part of the Somali parliament. The militant group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility of the attack. The group has declared a  “final massive” war against what they called “invaders and infidel” and attacked army barracks in several districts of Mogadishu on Monday.

Addis Neger’s reporters explain that the possible objective of the Ethiopian army crossing into Somalia was to divert the focus of the Islamic militant group, Al-Shabab, from ongoing battles with the Transitional Government in Mogadishu. Al Shabab has pledged to take control of last few areas that remains under the control of the Transitional Government in Mogadishu in the next coming days.

Ex-Somalia warlords from Juba and Bakol regions have been holding meeting in Addis Ababa last week with General Gebre Adhana, a former Commander in Chief of Ethiopian troops that was based in Somalia. The warlords hold another meeting with junior Ethiopian Army commanders in Dolo towns, a source disclosed to Addis Neger news outlet.

CNN’s reporter in central Somalia has also reported the Ethiopian troops have entered into Somalia borders.

However, the Ethiopia government has denies sending troops into Somalia.

“We have made no decision to intervene at this point,” Communications Minister Bereket Simon said in a telephone interview with Bloomberg from the capital, Addis Ababa.

“Dolo is an Ethiopian town,” Bereket added. “Nobody can question the right of the government to move troops within its own territory. The deployment is permanent.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi in June 2009 said that his country may reinvade Somalia if the Islamist rebels oust the government and threaten Ethiopia’s security. Meles repeated the threat earlier this month.

“If the lives of AMISOM peacekeeper becomes under threat, and they ask for our support, we will not hesitate to send troops,” he said speaking to Journalists in Addis Ababa.

Addis Neger newspaper used to be a weekly current affairs newspaper in Ethiopia. It ceased publication in December 2009 after its founding journalists left Ethiopia due to government pressure. The Newspaper has only online version.

In an effort to aid the powerless exiled government in Baidoa in Southern Somalia, the Ethiopia forces entered Somalia to drive away the Union of Islamic Courts, which controlled much of the country. However that invasion ended in beginning of 2009 after Ethiopian troops could not establish stability in the country.

The weak Somali Transitional Government In the past three years has only managed to hold onto a few city blocks, the airport, the seaport, and the presidential palace – and only with support from African Union peacekeepers. The Transitional government is backed by the African Union and The United States government and number of Western countries. The Government has failed to gain militarily and politically against the alliance of Islamic groups, Al-Shabab and Hizbu Al-Islam. The recent attacks by Al-Shabab have shown the plight of the government and frustration over providing security for senior government officials.

Sources: addisnegeronline.com & CNN & Bloomberg News

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By Mohamed H. Gulaid

Tags: Ethiopia forces crossing into Somalia al-shabab terrorism TSG DOLO