Africa
Somaliland and Ethiopian forces clash with ONLF rebels
September 14, 2010 · 41 Comments
BORAMA (Somalilandpress) — According to local eyewitnesses a heavy war erupted between the Ethiopian troops and ONLF rebels near the Somaliland border on Tuesday and has displaced many in near by towns and villages.
An eyewitness told Somalilandpress that the clashes began midday in the Mar-mar mountains in Awdal region close to the Ethiopian border after the militants were surrounded.
They added the Somaliland army have also arrived in the region and is backing the Ethiopian army – each army is said to be shelling the militants from its side of the border.
No casualties have been reported but Ethiopia and Somaliland have vowed to eliminate the group from their regions.
According to the Interior Minister, Dr. Mohamed Abdi Gabose two boats carrying an estimated 240-300 fighters arrived in the ancient coastal town of Zeila last Friday. The men were then smuggled across Somaliland by three lorries pretending to be carrying food products. He added the Somaliland police captured five men who separated from the group and seized weapons, Eritrean money, communication equipment and training manuals that were in Somali and Amharic.
Dr Gabose added the men, who belong to the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) received their training in Eritrea and were on their way to the Somali region of Ethiopia to battle the Ethiopian military.
Ethiopia has since moved heavily armed battalions near the Somaliland border and the two sides are exchanging information of where about the the militants are.
The militants have since separated into three different groups and one is already been trapped with heavy artillery from the Ethiopian forces. Eyewitnesses say, local people have also fled to the Somaliland side and are making their way to near by towns.
It’s unclear how long the war will last but Somaliland’s commander of the armed forces said the conflict will be concluded within two-three days.
People in Somaliland can not understand how such a large force could easily land inside Somaliland’s territory. This is now a major security blow for the regime.
Somalilandpress | Tuesday, 14 September 2010
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Tags: Ethiopia, Ogaden, ONLF, Somaliland
Readers Comments (41)
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Asmara declared open and direct war on Somaliland, the world have to condemn this.
Asmara has no friends nor trading partners, its last shabia brothel house got slapped with a saction. Now they all frustrated and want to create chaos in the region.
Its time the world took serious action against Asmara and its brothels aka Nakfa.
Eritrea is a pariah among its neighbors. It is isolated in the world. It is known to disturb the peace in the region. This kind of policy will not help this dictatorial regime in the future and will cause its final collapse.
This is just the last few bandits of onlf. Most of them have given up weapons after the peace treaty. But these are the few who refuse to stop killing so they had to escape Ethiopia to find a new safe haven. Too bad for them the somaliland police didn't give these terrorists a warm welcome. Good work to the National police of. Somaliland. Nice to know that as an Ethiopian, we have at least one neighbour we can count on.
Long live Ethiopia and long live Somaliland.
Death to onlf.
My Brother,
This is not ONFL group again Ethiopia regime — but this is a new malyashiya group leading by Mr. Borreh to over throw Ismael Omar Guelleh —- Please help to support the group with all means
Bouh canada,
excuse me,,, say again please,,,, do you want Somaliland support militia seeking to destroy another nation?
We do not care what Eithiopia think of our new cabinet Ministers, however, it was a fatal mistake for Somaliland Intelligence, Army Force and the Police to let this huge contigency armed to the teeth to embark from our soil and reach a distance 130km, without the knowledge of the Somaliland authorities. It was totally disgrace. They could have invaded Hargeisa in a minute. A thorough investigation should be carried out of what went wrong and how. It is also a good lesson how the Somaliland security is terribly fragile.
M.J.Musa.
This stands the first test for the ministry of the interior and the secret services of Somaliland. This shows the weakness of navy as these thugs came from Asmara through our shores. The lesson we should learn from this is to build our navy bases in our shorelines and to put some money from taxes we collect from Berbera port to buy some speed boats to patrol our seas.
Mustafa Cabdi X Daahir.
Mustafe,
Before you talk about building "Navy", please fix the road between Hargeysa and Berbera.
Geeljire
That has to wait, Geeljire. Our security is definitely more important to us than fixing roads. This has to be a lesson for the new Administration to open their eyes and to secure the borders and coatlines.
Abdulla,
I am sure ONLF have nothing againist the good people of Reer Sheekh Isaxaaq.
Say that again, Geejire? You should have said that when the Ogaden were looting, and raping women and young girls. Well, is that ironic now that Ogaden people don't have anything against Reer Sheekh Isaxaaaaaaaq! Marbay idiin ekayd.
There is an inherent problem in keeping a huge border totally secure at all times. This discovery just shows how committed Somaliland ensuring that its territory is not being used by those who wish harm to its citizens or by those bent on destablilizing its neighbors.
This just also shows how the good cortesy extended to other non-Somaliland Somalis in Somaliland is abused when they are not watched with close eye as Somalilanders don't like to profile any single group. It has been clear to us for long time that some elements of the ONLFsupporters have been active and abusing that cortesy to financially support or supply matierial to the ONLF.
This is a huge embarresment for the ONLF and its supporters not Somaliland. And the accusation that Somalilanders have elected members of Alshebab to their House of Representatives it quite ubsurd and is something spread by its enemy. We all know how Somaliland hates Alshebab which carried out bombing in it capital killing many innocent Somalilanders. This is something that was spread by certain media without verifying their sources and might have been used to harm the good relationship the two countries have as was the story of some Ethiopian troops crossing into its border town to arrest some suspects which was denied by the hotel owner himself. This misinformation is something the Somaliland media should watch out for when it is reporting news as Somaliland Law is clear with what to do with them. If it is due to lack of training, they need to also address it or it will affect their credibility.
Keep in mind also that the ONLF singles out the Isaaq and other non-oganden people in the Oogo(in the Western Highlands) and targets these people and their activities beacuse they refuse to participate in their struggle. That is one of the reasons why they are bent on extending their range into other people's lands killing and provoking the inhabitants as they also burn and interrupt their economic activities by burning truck carrying cargo and other goods. This is another ill adviced activity by the ONLF when it comes to dealing with other people in the "Oogo region/ Kaliisha Shanaad" because they happen to be either Isaaq or other groups, in addition to all other activities it has been conductiing in Somaliland covertly.
Jama,
When did ONLF killed/attacked reer Sh Isaq??
You were talking about people's businesses being burned, but you didn't mention that countless civilians including women that Hargeysa Admin sold to Ethiopian. regime. Shame on you.
I thought the people of Somaliland are smarter then this. “Before the Smoke, there is fire”. However, this situation I am wondering where the fire is. Nationalism is the greatest thing that nation can have, at same time it can devastate by blinding the inhabitants. OLNF are people who are struggle for independence against the atrocity of the Ethiopian regime, on the other hand, Somaliland are motivate to be recognize by the world. This is very jeopardy political move from SL government with no advantage.
wait a minute…These militia's picture photos dont look like Somalis!!!
Don't look like Somali Ogaden Onlf…their faces and features are different
than Somali looks…Whom are these threats represent and from which country
are they from???…Is it possible that they are OLF not ONLF???
If Oromo's insurgency supported by Erateria fighting Ethiopia infiltirated
through Somaliland territory …Somalilandpress…please clarify???
yes, it would be the END for ONLF. Eritreans are our blood. We'll reunite once Esayas is gone
This is stupid political move from the current SL administration, and it jeopardize the national security of SL. There are things that are meant to be kept from the public for national security reasons, and this is one of them. SL is one side employing army to retain the “dispute land” against PL. While the Alshabab are in pursuing of opportunity to undermine the sovereignty of Somaliland and its citizens. Let us not forget the Eritrea. So the really question is what is the intention of exposing such an act that is no benefit to the government, and what is the outcome, who benefits this. The people should be thinking clearly instead of jumping to the conclusion, every government prepares its people to have good reason, for later outcome.
From day one I said the way Silaanyo is going he will not last; he is more fqash than his former boss Siad Bare. This is what you end up with when you have someone who is sympathetic to fqash and their Islamist suicide bombers.
How can 300 easily land in a "port"? Where are the coast guards? The port people? Dont people live in Zeila? Is it a ghost town?
There is more to it than the media reports and its clear now that Silaanyo and his fqash administration all along knew them and let them in. They came as soon as they took office and replaced the UDUB government in that region.
It's clear now Somaliland has fqash leader at its helm and its time Somalilanders and Ethiopians rescued Somaliland from the enemy of peace and democracy.
We will no longer trust Silaanyo and his fqash camp and very soon Somaliland army and Ethiopians will arrive in Hargeisa and remove him for good.
This militant were Ogadens and Oromo, the reason some of the manuals were in Somali and Amharic language is because many Oromo do not read Somali.
We also know some of these militants contain Islamists for Somalia's al shabaab which Silaanyo's administration has connection with. Its all coming clear and now we say THANK YOU ETHIOPIA for seeing this threat months ago.
The Australian man Gregory R. Copley was also right about Kulmiye Islamists and their fqash friends.
"The key sponsors of the Kulmiye take-over, particularly Egypt and Eritrea, and possibly Iran, will push for Somaliland to tighten controls on international trade, through Berbera, to sustain landlocked Ethiopia."
Its clear to us now this group were from Eritrea and were supporting the Silaanyo administration, the nakfa was for Silaanyo and they never captured any one or any things they claim. It was delivered directly to Hargeisa and now they got five men from the villages and say they were part of such group. All lies they were part of it. Now Ethiopia and Somalilanders discovered their dirty fqash motives they turned on their former group and pretending to know nothing about it. How stupid are fqash, silaanyo and his fqash cabinet?
Somalilanders and Ethiopia its time to rescue Somaliland and restore President Dahir Riyale or Faisal Ali Warabe. The Kulmiye party should be abolished for good its has been infiltrated by fqash and Islamists——enemies of Somaliland and Ethiopia.
I personally can't understand what you trying to say!!!
I feel sorry for all the brainwashed suicide-bombers and what do you exactly want kayse .This somaliland Government is nearly the best government we had after Cigal's administration. Do you think that the somaliland government will let some tribal mad men trespass with guns and attack the neighbouring country NO WAY! .Know lets asssume what you wantt.
"lets wreak havoc in Somaliland and Ethopia YAY!"
Why don't the remaining ONLF retards admit their wont be a United Somalia again thanks to the impunity of us Somalis..May Allah help us.
The Election Commission of the Republic of Somaliland on July 1, 2010 — as noted, the highly-iconic 50th anniversary date of the original union of the Republic of Somaliland with the former Italian Somaliland to create the Union of Somalia — announced that the pan-Somalist, radical Islamist Kulmiye party candidate, Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, had won the June 26, 2010, Presidential elections.
Kulmiye — with major support from a broadly-based network of Islamists throughout the region, a range of pan-Somalists and southern Somalian clans, several regional governments, and at least one major Western front organization — prepared a broad campaign for which the UDUP Government under Pres. Dahir Riyale Kahin, although fully warned, were totally unprepared. Kulmiye had stage-managed significant elements of the Election Commission, and the media, and had prepared a round of post-election back-up plans which included adding prepared, loaded ballot boxes, and a campaign of street protests in the event that it looked as though all other steps failed and in the event that the Government had, in fact, taken strong pre-emptive steps to curtail Kulmiye’s creative electioneering.
Kulmiye leaders and other pan-Somalists and Islamists with who they were working had been noting that July 1, 2010, would be the symbolic date of the beginning of the reunification of the two Somalilands. That the Election Commission, which had been strongly influenced by payments from foreign sources (as GIS/Defense & Foreign Affairs had noted earlier), withheld announcement of the results of the June 26, 2010, Presidential elections until the iconic date of July 1, as if confirming the reports of collusion with the pan-Somalists.
Honestly if there's a way for resolving pan-Somalists and Islamists
notwithstanding the acts of terrorism, I don't see that's a problematic
issue. There's nothing wrong with a non-terrorist Islam or Muslim.
Honestly I can't see that your ill-fashioned collusion with the new
Kulmiye leadership has the least crediblity and therefore must be
ignored and dismissed as absolutely ridculous nonsense.
Cheers.
ths is guudbood people action and format president Riyaale.
what SL government is doing is disgrace to all of us (somalis) because by pleasing the criminal regime in Addis. but insha'allah with help of Allah the ONLF and all the other Somalis who have a clean heart will defeat this.<3
We know how to harm our heros like president Silaanyo. Guys if he refuses to knildown before Zebawi, what is wrong with that?
It seems to me that most people in this forum are just speculating. What"s going on SL? Let the authorities clarify.
There will be victory soon; Ethiopia will be defeated soon. Somalis of all clans will unite and become the strongest army on Earth. Let the leaders lead, and the followers follow. You know what I am talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If reports are true. The continued close working relationship between Ethiopia, Puntland, Somaliland and So Called Government led by the biggest traitors of the Somali people in Somalia will lead to their eventual downfall, period. Long live the freedom fighters who will remove these stooges in Bosaaso, Hergeisa and Mogadishu, Bidnillah.
wait a minute …
most of people above me are Ethiopian ( Woyane),
look Ethiopians, there is nothing you can do , we are all ONLF Willy-nilly , our body is somalilanders BUT our blood is ONLF , our heart greater somalia ,. ahahaahahaha
and now, you are trying to spread fake propaganda
Wipe out the Ogaden and Oromo terrorists.
Well done Somaliland and Ethiopia our next target is Asmara.
I got the point of view of isaaq people, that you are targeting ogaden to be killed but not a specific group or onlf. Now i am telling you something important and that is to wait for me in hargeysa with 500 jigjiga liyuu police and i will search your tents for al-shabaab members including your cabinets.
Dear real Somilanders
I think this system was preplanned by so many ani Somaliland and they are making use of our newly elected government , it seems that the Expresident Riyali is one of the master minders of such a plan. We don't need words we need deeds and support our government, it is a disgrace for all Somalilander specially Somaliland Diaspora, What I am Saying to all Diaspora get set and defend your country .
We , Somalilanders, tried to be with the rest of Somalia in mind and Soul. We got nothing but hate and destruction. For almost forty years we tried. what can we show for it zilch, nothing . I think it time for the rest of Somalia to grow up and go their own way. Somalilanders, are not the enemy of the Somalis. On the contrary we are still your kin and the sane big brother. We are still sheltering your weak and sick. We are still turning the other cheek every time we are punched with your evil. From invasions to hate propaganda we are not retaliating, For 20 years now we were trying to save guard this tiny republic which is the only sane place where all Somalis live in peace. But the rest of the Somalis are intent on destroying it. That don't make sense. In Hargeisa I see every Somali of this big nation living in peace and dignity. So, people let it be.
Yassin Ibrahim Hargeisa , Somaliland.
Somaliland is a little uncognized country with no proper funding to protect their large demand of security including its dangerous and long coastal line. They have neither the material nor manpower for their absolute security, they have done within their limits of creating a powerful military and Police manpower enough to secure within their main cities and borders because Somaliland is in the middle of a Region ravaged by long standing war. conflict and poverty.
The above comment is written by me and not by the above named person.
M. J .Musa
Faroole, Guelleh, Sheikh Sharif, Silaanyo and Ethiopian Stooge in Jig Jiiga have all sold their sousl to the Shaytaan. They love power so much that the priorities of their citizens are not even heard. Rather they run to Addis Ababa, Paris and Washington for advice, money and weapons to supress the real desires of the Somalis: Unity not division. Long live Somaliweyn, down to rejectors of Somalia as an entity and down to weak Land's that will not exist in a year or two years time, Bidnillah. Freedom fighters will liberate Somalis from these poodles of the Kuffar.
To those who criticize the government, let us not forget that much worse things happened in this world, remember 11th September, 29th October, the evil can penetrate to our land in one way or another. As Somaliland citizens instead of wasting our time and energy in criticizing our administration it is much more better to encourage and support our government and security forces and contribute with our efforts alongside to our brave security forces
LONG LIVE SOMALILAND
Down to naive rejectors of Somali Unity.
Well , First of all ONLF is the only honored thing left of great late Somalia and that something can holds our heads high and put the anti heads down into their holes , Second of all I don't understand why Ogaden people are so badly targeted in some of meaningless comments above , I can say nothing but ONLF has nothing with Issaq people and if that would be the case they would start killing those who lives on Ogaden region it self not far as Somaliland , However if you chosen to be in my enemy side then you can expect more with open arms and here I'm indicating the political wise not the people and burning and bombing those trucks after making their owners walkout peacefully tells you a lot , Why you hate on others of getting their rights when you singing yours ..is that reasonable in your judgment ? Yesterday you were part of 77 war against Ethiopia and your elders who participated still remember it well and proud of it while you ignorant who born and brought up with lost identity and out of bounce personality hate to see it ..Viva Ethiopia who killing and raping women and young girls and death to those who speak your language who practice your religion who has the same somalian blood of yours , Well Shame on you wallahi as the sickness and hate blinded your heart , Stop telling lies about Ogaden troops which was the largest among the great Somalia army and take this fact in your face ..when they left Syyiad Bare the whole Governments collapsed and its well known why they left him in large numbers after 77 war onwards till the total fall of Somalia back 1991 , When the SNM start chasing any thing named Darood to kill and chop so that explains it self again as normal reaction of anger and revenge , let's not dig deep down of late history and keep concerting of one fact which ONLF is beautiful struggle of real men's of lions hearts who sold their life for two things either the freedom or the Shahadah if you can read what I mean ..Viva OGADEN Viva ONLF ..