Somaliland-Ethiopia border clash 'kills 13'
 

At least 13 people have died in a clash between Somalis and Ethiopian forces who had crossed the border, village elders told the BBC.

Elders said three Ethiopian soldiers and at least 10 residents of Buhoodle district in Somaliland were killed in a shoot-out after a dispute at a checkpoint.

Residents say Ethiopia troops regularly cross into southern and central Somalia and fight Islamists controlling their towns, according to Reuters news agency.

But it is believed to be the first time that they have sought to do this in the semi-autonomous region of Somaliland, which is generally seen as more stable than Somalia.
'Guns firing'

The conflict broke out after villagers expressed anger when soldiers searched several trucks and held them for several days, according to the elders and a district official.

"The Ethiopian forces seized some public transports vehicles from the city. Many people were angered and they clashed with the Ethiopian troops, stirring heavy fighting," Buhoodle commissioner Osman Yousef Mohamed told AFP.

The forces had crossed from neighbouring Ethiopia into Somaliland - a self-declared republic - two weeks earlier.

Residents said that more Ethiopian troops moved in following the confrontation.

"There is so much violence. We can still hear guns firing," resident Safia Yusuf told Reuters.

"A lot of people are fleeing and we are scared the clashes will continue because the Ethiopians haven't left and militias are getting reinforcements," she added.

Correspondents say Ethiopia and Somaliland often work together, with Ethiopia assisting with security and Somaliland allowing its neighbour use of the strategic Berbera port.

Somaliland declared independence after the overthrow of Somali military ruler Siad Barre in 1991. Its independence has not been internationally recognised. Hawiye was defeated and now it seems it is Isaac turn.

What’s the use of posting this crap on anthropology forums.

This conflict is a never-ending saga, I get tired of hearing about it.

Residents say Ethiopia troops regularly cross into southern and central Somalia and fight Islamists controlling their towns, according to Reuters news agency. It's all good if they are islamists. Islam or any other religion should not be dragged into politics. If you manipulate civilians to think that God wants you to kill then you'r gonna get it.

Habesha, you have no clue whats happening here. So let me give you a hand.

Ethiopian troops clashed with Dhulbaante (a darood subclan) militias on Somali soil. 10 Somalis and 3 Ethiopians died. Now the question we should all be asking is:

• Why have Ethiopian troops entered northern Somalia and clashed with Dhulbaante, who have never had any connections to either ONLF or Al-shabab?
• Why is Ethiopia orchestrating alongside somaliland leadership to disarm and occupy area's held by Dhulbaante militias?
• Why has Ethiopia threatened Puntland leadership with invasion if they had attempted to help Dhulbaante against somaliland incursion?

This has happened a couple of years ago, where somaliland militias managed to capture Laascaanood. A area that had previously been controlled by Puntland. But never had Ethiopians been involved directly unlike today. So what triggered ethiopia to act fast to speed up its plans? For somaliland to have a chance to break away from Somalia. It must have control of all area's once known as British somaliland. Meaning area's controlled by Dhulbaante, who have been loyal to Puntland. A lot of big changes are set to happen in south Somalia, especially in Mogadishu. Somalia is soon to have a feasible central government which has been absent for the past 20 years. If Ethiopia ever wishes to dismember Somalia, it needs to vigorously assist somaliland to recapture all of British somaliland. Before Mogadishu has the capability to prevent it.

The title is misleading...there is absolutely no 'clash' between Ethiopia and Somaliland... absolutely no need for a clash, nor are "Isaaq" having any problems with Ethiopia. Buhoodle is basically pro Puntland, but is occupied nominally by Somaliland, and if some militia from there attack Ethiopians, then I support the Ethiopian right to defend themselves. In anycase it's win win solution for the Somaliland government.

BTW Excel, nothing from Mogadishu will ever affect the future of Somaliland...the future of Somaliland is in the hands of the Isaaq majority, and minorities like Dhulbahanta, Warsangeli, etc will have to learn to deal with it, or they can gtfo (or we will sic the Ethios @ them again).

What ferej doesnt seem to understand is that Isaaq are not like other Somalis...we punch above our weight class, and yes, we are using Ethiopians to fight our dirty battles.

Its one thing for somaliland to protect its interest but its another thing involving Ethiopians within the internal affairs of Somalis. Greater shame falls on the Puntland administration that has cowered out of its duty to aid their own fellow Harti brothers. Who have in the past stood by them thick and thin (1991 Galkayo). The only losers here are the Dhulbaante. A proud and courageous somali clan who have been betrayed by both the Somaliland and Puntland administrations. The situation is very difficult, the Ethiopians have brought additional troops within the area. And neither side seems to be backing down. I wholeheartedly support the people of Buhoodle against ethiopia's naked aggression. Its extremely brave of them as a mere village to stand against the military might of a country. Somaliland has every right to seek whatever it wishes. But to force their own will on Dhulbahanta/Warsangeli clans is totally hypocritical in what they had in the past accused Mogadishu of. I hope that Somalis, particularly Hawiye/Darod can begin to see the importance of unity and support for the TFG government. To protect the interest and liberties of all Somalis wherever they be throughout the Horn. There will come a time inshallah, when we will have the capability to deal with this, until then there's not that much that could be done.

The Dhulbahanta and Warsangeli need to realize that tribalism is not in Somaliland's MO...in a democracy, clannish sentiments have no room or wiggle space, and they will only hurt their chances to progress if they continue siding with Puntland and the whole harti thing than being patriotic Somaliland citizens. If it comes to be, we will have no qualms to have Ethiopians do our bidding and punish them, we will sic Xabashis on them. Besides, "Soomaalinimo" is pretty much dead. All that Somaliland is doing is defending its territorial integrity, ie the former boders of the colonial British Somaliland.

I am just baffled by Ethiopia's presence within the Area. Somaliland should tell them to get the hell out of Somali soil. Somaliland does not need ethiopia to police her borders or fight her battles. Its called occupation and they are flexing themselves in Somali soil.

To you its occupation, to me its 'outsourcing' lol.

Cosign.

Be careful, Tigray's have a double face. Yesterday they were slaughtering us like dogs in Mogadishu and today they are acting like we be friends. Thats called politics and two can play that game. And now we find ourselves dealing with lunatics who have vowed to convert the world into Islam LOL. The lunatics are a piece of cake but an irritation nonetheless.

I inserted photos of what we have managed to achieve in a year alone. Establishing Somalia's military and police ain't a easy task. Pride of Mogadishu. Somalia's highest ranking general is from my own village, Mashallah.

Don't you have any shame? 'Outsourcing' he sayshttp://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/whoco.gif

You're actually Eritrean, aren't you? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ies/tongue.gif

He is Hawiye

I know. I was kidding around.

What does Ethiopia have anything against any of the infinite number of Somali Clans? Stop flaming an already flammable situation and stick your nose back into the death camps of Massawa.
Anyway, Buhodle is harti isn't it?

I am amazed by the knowledge you Ethios have on Somali clans, lol.

How do you define 'defeat' Shabia boy?
Running with your tail between your legs from Mog back to Addis or keeping the town of Badme inside the Ethiopian borders after countless of Eritrean casualties?

Massawa is the pearl of the Red sea http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif quite funny you remembered it and try to associate it with death camp. I am sure some of your Amhara ancestors meet their God prematurely on the desert of that Area in 1990. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif

---------- Post added 2010-05-23 at 19:17 ----------

Well at least we are not eating each other like a bunch of baboons, Are we? http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gif. Now go and lick Meles's anus and try to be a great uncle tom like your uncle Abudahi yosuf. http://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...ilies/grin.gifhttp://www.discussworldissues.com/fo...lies/laugh.gif

We all have to meet our God regardless of who we are at one time or another don't we brother? Sure we do, but for you, even in death, you can not separate yourself from ethnic politics, sad.....