Ethiopian Forces Starts Looting Operation in Somalia

[Guled A. Mohamed]

MOGADISHU (June 3) The latest reports from Gedo Region, in southwestern
Somalia,
indicate that the people in Bulo Hawo Town are fleeing their hometown
after the Ethiopian
forces have started a major looting operation against the well- off people
in the town.

The Somali National Front spokesman (SNF), Ibrahim Jama Howleh, has
accused what he called the Ethiopian occupation forces for ransacking the
major
food stores of the town.

Speaking to reporters here in Mogadishu Thursday, Howleh said the Ethiopians
have taken away four field radios and over 500 quintals of sugar and
others food
items from three food stores in the town Wednesday.

The SNF spokesman did not speak about killing or torturing of civilians by the
Ethiopians, but he has called the international community to put pressure
on the
Ethiopian government to withdraw its forces from Somalia.

The spokesman asked the UN, OAU, other regional and international
organizations to help stop what he called the Ethiopian aggression and
intervention in Somalia.

Independent sources from the town of Bulo Hawo, however, confirmed that the
Ethiopian forces stationed in the town have launched a looting operation
against
three major food stores.

The sources who asked not to be mentioned, have confirmed that 200 sacks of
sugar, five assault rifles and two VHF radios were taken away by the Ethiopian
forces from the town of Bulo Hawo.

The largest food store belonging to Abdullahi Yussuf Tindher was the first
that
was attacked and its owner has escaped to the neighboring town of Mandera
across to Kenya his safety.

Reports reaching through VHF radios said dozens of families especially the
well-off families have fled Bulo Hawo town to Garbaharrey, Bur Dhubo and the
remote villages beyond the town of Luq in the same Gedo Region.

The owners of those VHF radios said that they have fled the town in fear
of the
Ethiopian daylight looting which began two days ago.

There is no apparent reason why the Ethiopians have begun the looting, but
sources close to the area said the Ethiopians have suspected those businessmen
of supporting General Omar Hmar Hajji Masalleh, chairman of the SNF.

The Ethiopian forces had used to support General Masalleh during their
pursuing
of the Al-Itihad fundamentalist group in 1996 and 1997, but General Masalleh
and Ethiopia have fallen apart after the General had signed the Cairo
peace deal
opposed by Ethiopia together with the Somali factions in late 1997. And since
then, the Ethiopians have supported late Ali Nur, General Masalleh's political
rival who was killed in a bloody ambush at the Somali-Kenyan border on April
8 this year.

The Ethiopian activities are not confined to Bulo Hawo and Dolow towns both
occupied by Ethiopia. But reports indicate that Ethiopian forces, using seven
battle wagons and over 200 infantry men, have arrived in the town of
Huddor.

Travelers who reached Mogadishu said the Ethiopians did not hurt anyone, but
said the Ethiopians had claimed to be heading for Qoryoley Town, about 165
Km south of Mogadishu, where the Oromo military were given their base when
they came to Somalia on a mysterious ship together with their arms.

[CigaalA]

Guled M. forwarded:

=cut=

>The Ethiopian activities are not confined to Bulo Hawo and Dolow towns both
>occupied by Ethiopia. But reports indicate that Ethiopian forces, using seven
>battle wagons and over 200 infantry men, have arrived in the town of
>Huddor.
>
>Travelers who reached Mogadishu said the Ethiopians did not hurt anyone, but
>said the Ethiopians had claimed to be heading for Qoryoley Town, about 165
>Km south of Mogadishu, where the Oromo military were given their base when
>they came to Somalia on a mysterious ship together with their arms.
>

The Ethiopians are aiming straight and square at south Mogadishu.

This time around, Aidiid Jr seems to have stepped on one more foot too many.

Strange as it may sound, looks like the Ethiopians are freeing Ogadenia by
occupying the rest of Somalia. :)