Somaliland
SOMALILAND: UK-trained force terrorises residents
June 19, 2012 · 19 Comments
HARGEISA — A British-trained force on Sunday raided a house in the neighborhood Jigjiga-Yar in Hargeisa leaving the family to clean up the mess.
The Resistant Reaction Unit(RRU) at pre-dawn, approximately 2:30-AM on Sunday night, stormed and ransacked the house of Hassan Aw-Libah, a former resident and a dual British citizen.
Terrified neighbours said the raid was an illegal form of intimidation, harassment and unlawfully searching, and questioning by the RRU’s motives.
Mr. Hassan Aw Libah said masked men from the special unit broke into and rummaged through his house after smashing its front gate and doors.
He said they then drew their weapons and held them at gunpoint before tying his household workers to chains in an effort to immobilize them.
“They came from all corners. Some of them climbed over the fence and they were shouting “caar-dhaqaaqa” (do not move) in Somali. They broke the front door of the house with their guns drawn and were ready to shoot, when we inquired what was going on; they tackled us to the floor,” Mr. Aw libah said.
He went to say: “I can not believe the government of President Silanyo would be treating its people in such a manner. Do they not have enough horror from the days of former dictator Mohamed Said Barre?”
He went to question where would Somalilanders go if even Hargeisa was not safe for them?
According to Aw libah, the force invaded his house, which is situated just opposite the Jigjiga-Yar police station without a search warrant. He also questioned as to why the force used such brutal tactics including chaining his household members to chairs in their living rooms and kitchen.
“Two members of my household were handcuffed for more than 2 hours in their living rooms while they ransacked the apartment and a neighboring unit, repeatedly shouting “caar-dhaqaaqa”,” Mr. Ahmed, the son in-law of Aw libah, said.
Mr. Ahmed said during the raid the unit confiscated an assortment of goods including unspecified amount of cash, laptops, CDs, and other valuable items. He added that they broke into a safe and when the residents requested a search warrant, the force presented a warrant that was missing a judge’s signature.
Mr. Aw libah said members of his immediate family including his own daughter, son in-law and six of his grand kids, all British citizens, were deeply traumatized by the deplorable incident in middle of the night.
While appealing to the Somaliland president, he said: “I am applying to the relevant authorities including President Silanyo to intervene and explain to me what I have done to deserve such treatment. Since no one from the government had the courage to contacted me, I think we deserve an answer.”
He said he was an innocent man who did not deserve to be treated in such manner which is only reserved for terrorist and hardened criminals.
Hassan Aw Libaah with daughter Hodan speak to local media about their terrifying ordeal.
“I hereby ask the British government to review and immediately halt all financial and military support it provides to the infamous RRU. It is been used as a tool for terrorizing innocent citizens rather than its original purpose which was to counter terrorism,” Mr. Aw Libah said.
The RRU officers received training pertinent to bomb disposal, fire-fighting, first-aid becoming the first unit to possess these hitherto unavailable skills within the country’s security forces.
The British government has been providing funds and instructors to the RRU thus availing the police force with relevant rapid reaction skills.
“Preemptive raids like this are the hallmark of the former National Special Security of the former regime of Said Barre,” said one resident of Jigjiga-Yar, who wishes to remain anonymous.
Mr. Adan who is also a neighbour told Somalilandpress that such actions against innocent citizens by the unit were unacceptable. He called for an action against them saying those responsible for the shameful incident should be held accountable. He warned brutal forces saying: “Other law enforcement agencies should be aware that this behavior will not be tolerated and will result in real consequences for the community.”
The police commissioner of Jigjiga-Yar police station, said he was not aware of any impending raid on the Aw libah apartment.
by Khalid Mohamed
Somalilandpress
June 19, 2012
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What is this. They should conduct these types of raid at intent place. I hope this is not true if it is true then it is ashame.
Who's Khalid Mohamed another new sldpress reporter!?..I don't like the style and language of
the article and venture not to comment much. For Somaliland National Security comes first like
any other world countries.
Cheers.
Another Devil agenda for blacks against their own. I'm not with their tactics. Just another white men agenda to terrorize our people
Woow what do they think they are, busting peoples homes at wee hours of the night. The Morgan house gang days are numbered indeed. On the other hand, SPress why are ALPHA GROUP doing in Hargeisa?
Meant what
We are living in the Horn of Africa. In order you and your offspring to be save we have to take action with our eyes close. So at least now you know there are young men and women who are awake for your safety EVRY SINGLE NIGHT…
I told you that Silaanyo and his Garadag gang are turning Somaliland into another Afweyne terror camp. They also raided many other poor famillies and I willl tell abit more later. Everyone should write to the UK embassy in Addis Ababa and in the future this man should file a lawsuit against Silaanyo in British Court for damages, abuse, traumar, harassment etc, since Silanyo is also British citizen.
The Garadag gang wants to loot his house. This is the reality and unless they are stopped, they will turn Somaliland into another graveyard like Afweyne. I believe Silaanyo is the one who gave Afweyne the idea to carry out the massacre in north Somalia and don't forget it was Silaanyo who started the whole war and was probably framing the Issakis. His vision wasn't to liberate them but more to frame them so Afweyne could do what Silaanyo secretly proposed to him.
Today its clear to all of us, what a crooked warlord he is just invading private homes and terrorising elders, women and children.
Relatives of Mr Aw libah should immediately file a case against Silaanyo in British courts so when he returns for his medical care (after receiving his treatment) he is apprehended. You thought I was lying when I said that Silaanyo is a warlord and a tribalist?
This week he also raided residents in Berbera, Sheekh and other parts of Hargeisa. I believe he already took few people and where about they are is unknown. He might have tied their hands and shot them in the bushes.
I wanna tell Mr Libaax not to worry because few thugs from Garadag will not get away with his hard owned goods. Silaanyo, their uncle, will pay for it once he arrives back in London, he is not only mismanaging British taxpayers money but he is also using it to create terror and ultimately destabilize the whole fragile northern Somalia.
The British government must seize all funds to Silaanyo including so called development aid which ordinary Somalis don't ever gotto see it. He puts it all his own pockets.
Britain must also suspend support to RRU and SPU until Silaanyo acts like a civilian and not another Siad Bare era warlord.
Salam Alekum my fellow muslim brothers. I wanted to just say that this is not just a made up story this is very true. I am family relative who has been in contact with my relatives back home who have confirmed this tragic incident actually took place. If this was done for 'national security' then why were these men masked?. Why has no one either in the army or police or who ever else have yet to explain to the women,children and the elderly why they did what they did. Somaliland is not a dictatorship where people are just raided in their homes without any legal explanation.
Somaliland is becoming a nation led by group of corrupt leaders who have personal agendas. I dont about you but this is not the Somaliland that I want to support. I cant say much about this matter however as Somalilanders you should know that this horrific incident occurred because a man chose to stand up for what is right and decided against paying any bribery money which in turn they decided to scare him to pay off. Also for those who dont know who Mr. Hassan Aw Libah is he is man who was part of the SNM a man who contributed a lot financially and with is own blood and sweat to the SNM movement. And yet this is how he is treated. True Somalilanders need to do a lot of house cleaning and flush out the evil out of our nation.
I suspect Mr Libaah probably refused to take part in the recent illegal sentencing of 12+ men including three former officials over the so called food mismanagement.
He probably refused to take bribe so he could remain silent. I know what Amina Weris and Silanyo are up to because I have people inside their circle passing me information.
Issa,
I'm sorry about this but we have to all stand together and against injustice at all front regardless of who is the perpetrator.
Many in the Diaspora believe Somaliland gov is angel and it does no wrong, so the gov became immune and does as it wishes, its time to pull the leash on them and show them who is in control.
My advise for you is to write to the British government and request them to explain why they fund such force and remember you can sue them in British courts because your relatives are all British citizens and the force is funded by the British government.
Seek a legal adviser and explain to him that the British government is using foreign forces to harass members of the Somali British community living back in their native land. There are so many legal channels available for you and your family.
Tell them that your family has been labeled as al Qaeda and that you wish to take them to court. The force receives direct funds from the British embassy in Ethiopia under the supervision of Matt Woods (Matt.Woods2@fco.gov.uk).
RRU is also responsible for the death of six people including a pregnant mother during the New Hargeisa massacre.
They are holding 20 people in deathrow too and want to execute them with British bullets. They have to be stopped at all cost.
Meanwhile I urge the Somaliland British community to file a lawsuit against Silaanyo.
Why is this story only running on Somalilandpress and not on any of the independent Somaliland channels from back home?
Something smells fishy!
Who knows all these strange stories could be the works of Kayse. Did I hear his name is Abdisamad
Mooge of Australian citizen? Looks like This mad cap Kayse dude and sldpress share certain
common interests.
Cheers.
I am not surprised with you because those who support Garadagland are blind to everything and thats because generally they are isolated and disconnected people who have no knowledge about the reality back home because they can't afford a ticket.
A 70 year old grandpa has more validation than your uncle Silaanyo and Hirsi Gaab.
This hard worked man who went back home to rest and enjoy the Somali fresh air because UK was no longer for him, can not even get peace of mind.
The majority of northern Somalis are poor but they enjoyed lasting peace before Silaanyo, now, its not safe to return. They might invade your home and take everything or even kill you.
I rather go to Mogadishu and I think I will review my proposed trip to Hargeisa next year. It's no longer safe. I will be writing to AMISOM to request their services and who knows they might expand to the whole country.
Silaanyo has ruined SNM before and today he has ruined Somaliland for us. A lawsuit awaits for him and Amina Weris, they must have answers as to why they have destabilized north Somalia.
Stop acting like you care about him.like you care about what happens to Somalilanders.How about you talking the starving people in the south and central.Who need time and effort if your concerns are true.
The alien Snake head and his Nazi Faqa666sh finally got themselves a story to make hay of. Suddenly with this story doom and gloom descended on Somaliland and they back to their normal propaganda of how Somaliland is falling apart.
I think the government should publicly apologize for this Family immediately and make amends. No one should suffer such an ordeal without a reason. The people of somaliland should support this family in every way they can.
The geezer must have committed some serious crimes. He could be an Al Qaeda sleeper cell. He could have committed fraud or a drug dealer. He could be a traitor like some trolls in this forum. Or he could be an enemy within. Let us not jump to conclusions and simply blame our government without first hearing their side of the story. This sort of early morning raids is the hallmark of the British law enforcement agencies and happens in the UK all the time. So there is nothing to worry about here and we all should support the government of Somaliland and its security forces for the good job they are doing.
Hi,just to post my ordeal on the above subject,i was in that house on that terrible night,i have been to somaliland 3 times as an architect and construction engineer,i believe i have been my best the this country and i have loved my stay all along until that terrible night,i was on the quest room on the uppermost floor and these masked men stormed in holding 4 guns right on my head,i have never been through this in my life and it was bad,they took all my belongings,phone,passport,laptop,ipad and my money, when i left the police cell my next move was to move back to my country kenya where atleast am assured of my security and rights,honestly was that fare,am asking this to the government of somaliland,i was handling 4 projects trying to build this nation,i dont think that i will ever step to somaliland just becouse of what happened that night.