Gabre Heard

General Gabre Heard [ [http://www.waagacusub.com/images/gabre.jpgGeneral Gabre Heard, Photo] ] is the overall commander of all Ethiopian military forces in Somalia.

General Gabre has been criticized for the Ethiopian military's indiscriminate use of heavy weapons in civilian areas, and the use of these weapons in retribution attacks on areas where insurgent forces are suspected to be operating, following attacks on Ethiopian forces.

On February 22nd, Gabre reportedly slapped Transitional Federal Government President Abdullahi Yusuf twice across the face [ [http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=44222&sectionid=351020501 Ethiopian Gen. 'slaps Somali President'] ] following a heated argument, according to Press TV, a media outlet funded by the Iranian government.

Gabre has been often described as the "true ruler" of Somalia, as the vast majority of military operations in Somalia are carried out by his forces, and the vast majority of military power in the country is controlled by him. This has perpetuated ARS, opposition and insurgent claims that the TFG is a puppet government under the thumb of Ethiopia.

Gabre has little to do with the TFG based in Baidoa, dealing mostly with his close allies in government: Mogadishu mayor and CIA-linked ex-ARPCT warlord Mohamed Omar Habeb, indicted war criminal, ex-ARPCT warlord and Mogadishu Police Chief Abdi Hasan Awale Qeybdiid and the TFG security agency head Mohamed Warsame Darwish.

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