Mass detention of Ogaden civilians in Dhagah Bur and Its environs

March 2, 2006 — Reliable reports that reached Radio Xoriyo service desk today from our
reporters in Ogadenia confirm the arrest and forceful removal of all Ogaden
civilians in the towns and hamlets around the city of Dhagah Bur. Colonial
forces in Ogadenia allege that these innocent civilians belong to ?Ogaden
National Liberation Front-ONLF’. It has also been reported that the main
allegation against these innocent civilians is that they are ‘ONLF members’
themselves, which is the furthest thing from truth according to our
reporters. Since the Tigrian colonial forces appear to have failed in
countering recent major losses on the battleground, it appears that this is
another tactic in pressuring innocent civilians in the mistaken belief that
mass removal and extra judicial detention of Ogaden civilians may slow down
recent ONLF military advances to major cities.

Radio Xoriyo reporters are still compiling lists of the names of the people
who are being held in Dhagah Bur. A preliminary list we have received so
far contains the following names:

1. Shamsa Muxumed Daahir Cabdi.

2. C/fataax Maxamed Cabdi Qarayare.

3. Mother Nimco Aw-Cabdi Samad who happens to be the mother of C/fataax.

Maxamed Cabdi Qarayare above.

4. C/rashiid Axmed Ileeye.

The recent mass arrest and removal of civilians follows summons of the
local state officials by the highest-ranking military officials in the
region in February 2006. Reliable sources who were privy to the meeting
between the military officials and all levels of the so-called local state
administration told our reporters that the main agenda put forth by the
military was how best to punish the Ogaden civilians in towns and hamlets
surrounding major cities. It was alleged in the meeting that innocent
Ogaden civilians in these areas were all ‘ONLF members or sympathisers’
hence the need for retribution.