Sep 21, 2015

Ogaden: ONLF Officers Cold-bloodedly Murdered by al-Shabaab


In a press statement of 21 September 2015, the ONLF condemned the kidnapping and barbaric execution of Mr Abdiasis Muhamed Dahir and Mr Maki Omar Abdi by the al-Shabaab militia on 10 May 2015. The statement highlights that the ONLF is not a party to the conflict in Somalia and has always distanced itself from getting involved. However, the statement continues, some Somali militias and corrupt Somalia regional administrations seem to be trading ONLF members and Ogaden refugees for favours from Ethiopia, which in turn kills or detains and torture them for long periods.

 

Below is an article published by Ogaden News Agency:

 

Mr Abdiasis Muhumed Dahir, a central committee member and Mr Maki Omar Abdi, an officer responsible for orphans who were traveling from Baidoa to Ogaden disappeared, on May 8, 2015. After intensive search by ONLF scouts, it was discovered that Alshabab have kidnapped them near Baidoa.

After months of searching and covert enquires, ONLF intelligence services have now established that the abducted were taken to Yaaq Badhiwayn, when the group discovered that they were ONLF officers. Then, the Alshabab strongman in the area, Mr Isaaq Dhuhulow, issued an order to kill them. Thus, the Alshabab militia beheaded the abducted on May 10, 2015.

This is not the first time that this militia had killed ONLF officers and members. Alshabab also murdered eight other members, including ONLF retired former Defense Secretary Ilias Sh. Ali. 

ONLF condemns this despicable action perpetrated by Al-shabaab militia. ONLF is not a party to the conflict in Somalia and has always distanced itself in getting involved in the despicable carnage in Somalia. Some Somali militia’s and corrupt Somalia regional administrations trade ONLF members and Ogaden refugees for favours from Ethiopia, which in turn kills or detains and torture them for long periods. However, Alshabab is the only militia group that wantonly kills ONLF members, despite claiming that they are fighting Ethiopia. There are signs that there is a strong relationship between the Ethiopian security and considerable elements within the Alshabab establishment.

Photo courtesy of Madaale/ONLF