Battle of Beledweyne (2006)

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Beledweyne
partof=the War in Somalia (2006–present)
date=December 24 –– 25, 2006


place=Beledweyne, Somalia
caption=Battle of Beledweyne, December 24–25, 2006
result=Ethiopian victory
combatant1=
combatant2=flag|Ethiopia
flag|Somalia warlords
commander1=
commander2=
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=60 killed cite news |title=Ethiopia pushes deeper into Somalia |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4A2D7333-9E99-4B63-A455-A1260251BED8.htm |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=December 25, 2006 |accessdate=2006-12-25]
casualties2=12 taken prisonerThe Battle of Beledweyne occurred on December 24 to December 25, 2006 when Ethiopian troops seized that Somalian town from Islamic Courts Union fighters, according to some news agencies. Beledweyne is 100 km north of Baidoa, the seat of Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

Prelude to the battle

Even before the 2006 events in the Somali Civil War, Beledweyne had seen its share of fighting. In June 2005, fighting between the Galje'el and Jajele subclans in the western end of town lasted for four days, resulting in 30 dead, 70 wounded and hundreds more displaced. This left the town on an uneasy footing. [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=47550 SOMALIA: Death toll rises as fighting continues in Beletweyne] IRIN]

On June 30, 2006, the ICU held demonstrations in Beledweyne in which protesters held signs reading, "We Don't Want Ethiopia to Enter Somalia." [http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=522 Somalia's Fluid Politics Move Toward Polarization] PINR]

On August 1, 2006, the ICU sent technicals out towards the Ethiopian border north of Beledweyne. Ethiopian troops were reportedly sent across the border to stop the ICU's advance. [http://www.somalilandtimes.net/sl/2005/237/3.shtml Conflict in Somalia Moves Toward Confrontation"] Somaliland Times]

Between August 9 and August 16, ICU militia under the command of Yusuf Makaraan occupied the town. [http://www.pinr.com/report.php?ac=view_report&report_id=543&language_id=1 Somalia's Conflict Enters a Phase of Duress] PINR] After resisting for a few days, by August 13 the deposed governor, Yusuf Ahmed Hagar (also known as Yusuf Mohamud Hagar and "Daba-Ged" [cite news |title=Anti ICU lost key towns in Somalia |url=http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/6127 |publisher=SomaliNet |date=December 25, 2006 |accessdate=2006-12-25] ), fled to Ethiopia to regroup his forces. By August 16, the ICU declared control of the town after a final brief exchange of gunfire. [http://english.aljazeera.net/news/archive/archive?ArchiveId=25026 Islamists seize key Somali town] Al Jazeera]

In late August, 2006, Sheik Farah Moalim established an Islamic court in the town. In an interview with the Associated Press he declared, "The world better learn who we are... This is just the beginning stage." [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/08/25/world/main1936698.shtml Somali Taliban-Style Rebels Settle In] Christian Science Monitor] [http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060825-1045-somalia-strategictown.html Islamic leader in key Somali town says 'the world better learn who we are' ] Associated Press]

In September the ICU arrested journalist Osman Adan Areys of Radio Simba for two days for airing a report about the strict new rules and a curfew imposed on the town. [http://www.cpj.org/news/2006/africa/somalia11sept06na.html SOMALIA: ICU authorities censor radio station, detain journalist] Committee to Protect Journalists]

On October 13, Sheikh Abdullahi Gurre, spokesman for the ICU, declared Ethiopian troops had crossed the border and were within 25km of Beledweyne. [http://english.aljazeera.net/News/archive/archive?ArchiveId=36668 Ethiopia 'helps seize Somali town'] Al Jazeera]

Somalia was devastated by massive floods that hit the country late in 2006. The storms of November 10 - 11 resulted in the displacement of 60,000 persons in the Beledweyne area. [http://allafrica.com/stories/200612080107.html Somalia: Floods Increase Risk of Malnutrition, Diseases] IRIN] On Sunday, November 26, 200 women protested they had not been getting enough help to deal with the humanitarian crisis. [http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article18919 Somali Islamists deploys troops near Ethiopian border] Sudan Times]

On December 8, protests here held in Beledweyne to oppose the new UN Resolutions for an IGAD-led peacekeeping mission, dubbed IGASOM. [http://news.independent.co.uk/world/africa/article2059993.ece Islamic militiamen fighting Ethiopian troops in southern Somalia] Associated Press]

Course of the battle

Fighting began in earnest on December 24, 2006. Twelve men, identified as Ethiopians, were reported taken in Beledwyne as prisoners of war. [cite news |title=Ethiopia launches offensive against Somalia's powerful Islamic movement |url=http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/world/BO37910/ |work=Associated Press |publisher=WHDH-TV |date=December 24, 2006 |accessdate=2006-12-25] Eight Ethiopian aircraft were reported to have struck Beledwyne and its residential areas, causing protests in the streets. Ethiopians tanks cut the main Kala-Bayrka road, isolating the town. [cite news |title=Anti Ethiopia rallies in Somalia as Ethiopian air raid continues |url=http://somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/6122 |publisher=SomaliNet |date=December 24, 2006 |accessdate=2006-12-25]

Residents said that Ethiopian troops took control of Baladwayne town on December 25 after a day of bombing to uproot the Islamists.

Yusuf Daba-Ged, the returning Somali governor of Hiran, said, "We have taken control of Baladweyne and our forces are chasing the terrorists. We have killed more than 60 Islamists, wounded others and captured some as prisoners of war." Following their defeat in Baladweyne, leaders of the Islamic courts called on the Ethiopian troops to withdraw.

The ICU allegedly retreated also from the town of Bulo-Barde. [cite news |title=Anti ICU lost key towns in Somalia |url=http://www.somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/6127 |publisher=SomaliNet |date=December 25, 2006 |accessdate=2006-12-25]

Unconfirmed reports that "hundreds of Ethiopian tanks" were moving along the road towards Jowhar. This presented a major flanking of ICU positions in Tiyoglow and Buurhakaba by striking towards the Shabeellaha Dhexe area. The Ethiopian forces were accompanied by Somali warlord Mohamed Omar Habeb 'Mohamed Dhere,' who wished to reestablish his control over Jowhar. [http://somalinet.com/news/world/Somalia/6127 ICU lost key towns in Somalia] SomaliNet]

Aftermath

After the battle, Yusuf Daba-Ged proclaimed the town of Bedelweyn was liberated and it was again legal to chew khat. [http://www.garoweonline.com/stories/publish/article_6660.shtml Somalia: Ethiopian forces capture town from Islamists] Garowe Online] A truck filled with khat arriving the next day, on December 26, was met with a burst of cheers. [http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/nation/16318428.htm Bombs brush back Somali militia] Daily News wire services]

On December 31, 2006, in an effort to head off additional bloodshed, Yusuf Ahmed Hagar "Dabageed," returning governor of Hiran, called for an end of three days of reprisals conducted by men loyal to him and the TFG. He urged an end to the hunting for former members of the Islamist militias offered assurances that those who were now mingled with the rest of the population would not be hurt or killed.cite news
first=Aweys Osman
last=Yusuf
title =Somalis in Hiran urged not hunt down former Islamist fighters
publisher =shabelle.net
date =2006-12-31
url =http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne1968.htm
accessdate = 2007-01-05 ]

On January 1, 2007, Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed declared a new administrator for Hiiran region, replacing Dabageed. Hussein Mohamud Moalim was named as new administrator, and Saleyman Ahmed Hilawle was nominated as assistant administrator. [http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne1975.htm Somali president nominates a new administrator for Hiran region] Shabelle Media Network]

On January 5, 2007, Sheikh Farah Moallim Mohamud became the highest-ranking member of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) to be captured by the Ethiopian-Somalian forces. He was apprehended near Beledweyne then later released because of the general amnesty offered to Islamists who surrendered to the government.cite news
title =Somalia: High-ranking Islamist official captured
publisher =Garowe Online
date =2007-01-06
url =http://www.garoweonline.com/stories/publish/article_6908.shtml
accessdate = 2007-01-06 ] Clashes broke out between Somali protesters and Ethiopian soldiers after a TFG military officer, Col. Muktar Hussein Afrah, was arrested for refusing to hand over the Sheikh to Ethiopian forces. Three people were reportedly injured. cite news
title =Protests hit Somali border town
publisher =BBC News
date =2007-01-07
url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6239035.stm
accessdate =2006-01-07 ] He was released on January 10.cite news
title=Somalia: Curfew imposed on Afgoye as Ethiopian troops release Col. Afrah
url=http://www.shabelle.net/news/ne2048.htm
publisher=Shabelle Media Network
date=2007-01-10
accessdate=2007-01-10 ]

See also

References