Haatuf News

It was only last Monday night when Abdillahi Yusuf announced at a press conference held in Addis Ababa with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zinawi, that he would seek solving differences with Somaliland through dialogue, not war. Yet by early Friday, or in less than 72 hours after he made the above assurances, Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia attacked Somaliland’s security forces at Adhi-Addeeye, a village 30km to the north of Las-Anod, capital of the Sool region. Ironically enough, yesterday’s unprovoked attack by Mr. Yusuf’s clan militia men took place only few days after Britain’s minister for Africa, Mr. Chris Mullin concluded a 3 day visit to Somaliland. During this visit, Mr. Mullin, who earlier met with Abdillahi Yusuf in Nairobi, conveyed to Somalilanders his impression of Somalia’s warlord turned president, as a man interested in making peace with Somaliland. The British official while urging both the Somaliland government and people to refrain from anything that might jeopardize Somalia’s delicate peace process, had also reassured Somalilanders that Britain would never be party to any agreement that seeks to force them against their will into a reunion with the South. In a BBC interview, October 27, Mr. Mullin not only lauded Somalilanders for rebuilding their country from scratch without external help but also talked movingly about the mass graves containing the bodies of Somalilanders killed by Somalia’s former regime. These remarks and others, though much appreciated, seem to have had a pacifying impact on the government and people of Somaliland.

A flagrant aggression of the type launched against Somaliland yesterday wouldn’t have happened unless Abdillahi Yusuf had given it the green light first. In fact, warlord Yusuf has been making all kinds of provocations against Somaliland for the last 6 years. The reason for this, as he recently admitted to close supporters during the Mbagathi talks, was to create an air of constant conflict with the aim of discouraging the international community from recognizing Somaliland. According to Abdillahi Yusuf’s clanist dogma, members of Somaliland’s Harti sub-clan would fall into subjugation under an Isak-dominated and internationally recognized Somaliland. Warlord Yusuf played on these fears only to secure himself a place in the outcome of Somalia’s clan-based power politics while using the Dhulbahante and Warsangeli of Somaliland as mere pawns in the game. The truth is that the April 1991 peace accords reached between all Somaliland’s clans, were essentially founded on the historic decision by the SNM to start a new chapter of peace and brotherhood in Somaliland once Siyad Barre was defeated. The subsequent proclamation in May 1991 of Somaliland’s re-assertion of its independence has since been held as a pact of peace and non-aggression between all Somaliland clans. The trust that emerged as a result of the 1991 Buroa accords ultimately paved the way for President Dahir Rayale Kahin and Speaker Ahmed Qaybe, both of them non-Isak, to occupy the two highest positions in the government of Somaliland. This level of social harmony and political progress achieved by the Somaliland society, did no sit well with warlord Abdillahi Yusuf, not even after the international community rewarded him with the position of president for the non-existing state of Somalia.

Under the circumstances, the people and government of Somaliland have no alternative except to repel Mr. Abdillahi Yusuf’s aggression. President Rayale must not hesitate to mobilize the nation to defend itself. He must recall all war veterans, particularly the SNM fighters and officers, to report themselves for active military duty. The Somaliland government should also pay urgent attention to the well-orchestrated media disinformation campaigns being waged by Majerteenya. They are already spinning lies about Somaliland being the side that started the war. The media is no less an important weapon than arms, and the best strategy to counter Abdillahi Yusuf’s propaganda is for the Somaliland government to transmit information in a timely and efficient manner, and make itself readily accessible to both the local and international media. Abdillahi Yusuf and his henchmen have committed a new naked aggression against Somaliland. They should not be allowed to mislead the world about what they have done or get away with their crimes.

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Somaliland Repulses Major Attack By Abdillahi Yusuf's Militia

Ainabo, Somaliland, October 30, 2004 (SL Times) – Somaliland's Army repulsed Friday a major military attack against their positions at the village of Adhi-Addeye, 30km north of Las-Anod, the capital of the eastern Sool region. According to eyewitnesses, troops loyal to Col. Abdillahi Yusuf attacked Somaliland forces from 3 directions at around 9 o’clock Friday morning. Eyewitnesses said that Somaliland positions manned by the 12th and 114th battalions took direct hits as a result of the surprise attack by Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia. A number of Somaliland troops got injured during the early phase of the attack while one technical wagon was put out of action. The vehicle was however recovered by the Somaliland side. It was at this point that Hahi, one of Somaliland’s commanders at the theatre of operations was fatally wounded by sniper bullets as he tried to re-organize his unit. Somaliland also lost an officer-in-charge while a number of soldiers were reported missing early on.

Following the arrival of reinforcements, Somaliland troops were able to launch a counter-attack by 11am and in the fierce fighting that ensued, scores of Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia were either killed or wounded. The fighting continued until 3pm when heavy rains fell and stopped the clashes.

According to Somaliland military sources, the commander of Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia, Ahmed Raan, and his deputy, Abdillahi Abdi Gadabay, were both killed in the Somaliland counterattack. Their bodies were brought to Buroa where they were positively identified. A commander of one of the military formations belonging to Majertenya was also believed to have died in the fighting.

Somaliland’s Minister of Information, Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, said that the attacking militias sustained heavy casualties. Sources in Las-Anod confirmed last night that many militia were reported missing.

The Somaliland Times has learned that Abdillahi Yusuf’s gunmen moved Thursday night from their positions around Las-Anod towards the Somaliland forces at Adhi-Addeye to the north. Around 1500 armed militia reached, without being noticed, near the defense lines of the 12th and 114th battalions of the Somaliland Army. Abdillahi Yusuf's militia also brought over 20 technicals. Sources close to the Somaliland military believe that Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia would not have dared to take such bold risks unless they had advance information on the exact dispositions and points of strengths and weaknesses of Somaliland forces. The day and hour in which the attack was launched also conveyed an impression that the enemy was well aware of the time when alertness among the Somaliland troops was at its lowest. Somaliland government leaders are expected to attend the funeral of military officer Hahi in Hargeisa today.

The situation around Las-Anod remained tense yesterday. Both sides were reported to be reinforcing their forces for new clashes. Meanwhile, Abdillahi Yusuf who was recently appointed as Somalia’s president has accused Somaliland of waging war on Puntland. In a letter sent to IGAD state leaders and the UN Secretary General, Mr. Yusuf reiterated the same charges that Puntland’s new chief, Mohamed Abdi Hashi, leveled against Somaliland.

The Somaliland government has warned regional organizations and the larger internationally community against being misled by what it termed as Abdillahi Yusuf’s lack of neutrality in the conflict. Somaliland Minister of Information, A Duale, accused warlord Abdillahi Yusuf of instigating the clashes between Somaliland and Majertenya (Puntland). Mr. Duale said 22 prisoners belonging to Abdillahi Yusuf’s militia were captured alive by Somaliland forces while over 60 were killed. Somaliland officials gave their casualties as 7 injured and 2 dead. According to sources from Majertenya (Puntland), over 20 Somaliland troops were captured as prisoners of war.

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