Woyane Militia Continues Destroying O'gaden Towns

[Kamaavi]

Dameerey- March 7, 2008: Structures comprising almost the entire town (about 65 structures) were removed, possibly burned, since the collection of the previous image. © 2008 DigitalGlobe

 

Reports reaching our service desk indicate that Ethiopian militiamen based around the towns of Dig, Jarar Province and Fardhiig, Qorahay province destroyed the most houses of the two towns and the property within it. This illegal action happened on February 2nd and February 20th 2010 respectively. It has been reported that Ethiopian militia forces encircled the towns and firebombed a gas or petrol station located within one of the most populated sections of the towns. The fire then engulfed most of the town’s dwellings as most of these structures are made of flammable wood. According to our reporters in and around the town of Dig, so far more than ten houses have been destroyed. Most of the Fardhiig town’s inhabitants who have been barred from rescuing anything from the fire are reported to have been arrested.

 

Confidential sources interviewed by our reporters confirm that the civilians are still languishing in hastily constructed structures used as mass detention centers by the Tigray Militias. Radio Freedom and ****** Online staffers are still collecting the names of the people detained in these detention centers for displaced persons. We can report that the following names are part of the confirmed lists of people detained and not charged by the militia forces in Fardhiig, Qorahay Province:

 

1. Zahra Cabdiraxman

2. Samsam Mukhtar Sheekh Maxamud

3. Kowsar maxamed Siyaad

4. Ayaan Maxamed Xaajii

5. Cadde Axmed

6. Iid Cabdi Mahdii

7. Cabdullahi Axme Mataan

8. Cabdiraxman Cabdi Guure

 

A very well respected political observer of the Horn of Africa region whom we have had discussions with in order to get an understanding of the significance of these mass detention of civilians and destruction of towns and hamlets told us that these actions paint the picture of a regime pushing the panic button especially in light of the recent losses in the battleground with ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) forces.