Somaliland accuses Ethiopian rebels of fighting alongside Puntland forces

MOGADISHU, Nov 1, 2004 (HornAfrik) — The Somaliland administration has said members of Ethiopian rebel ONLF — Ogaden National Liberation Front — took part in last Friday’s, October 29 fighting between its forces and those of Puntland in Ari Adeye.

The Somaliland administration has accused ONLF fighters of taking part in the fighting on tribal grounds.

Somaliland Minister of Information Abdullahi Mohammad Du’ale told the media no fighting was currently going on but ONLF forces took part in last Friday’s fighting.

The minister said a campaign was going on to mobilize some people from Ethiopia’s Zone Five state to fight for Puntland.

The minister urged the Ethiopian government to be watchful of its citizens who are being enlisted to fight outside its country.

According to Hatuuf reporter Abdirahman Haji Dahir, no fighting is currently going on in the area, but there are fears of renewed clashes.

The reporter says a plane which was said to have been sent by Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf brought several journalists to Laas Caanood — Capital of Sool Region, geographically part of former British Somaliland Protectorate, occupied by Puntland forces in 2003.

Meanwhile, trade between Puntland and Somaliland has ceased following last Friday’s fighting.

Material form the BBC Monitoring Service