(New York) – Ethiopian Woyanne troops and insurgents have violated the laws of war in killing and wounding dozens of civilians in new clashes in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, Human Rights Watch said today.
Tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the city, many of them wounded and unable to access medical care and other services due to continuing fighting.
“All the warring parties are responsible for ensuring that civilians are not targeted and that they do not impede access to medical treatment and other relief,” said Peter Takirambudde, Africa director at Human Rights Watch. “The international community should condemn these attacks and hold combatants accountable for violations of humanitarian law – including mutilating captured combatants and executing detainees.”
In the early hours of November 8, Ethiopian Woyanne troops and convoys were ambushed by insurgents near the Livestock Market in the Huriwa district of northern Mogadishu. At least one soldier was killed. Crowds dragged his body through the streets to the Hodan neighborhood, southwest of the city.
At 4 p.m., large contingents of Ethiopian Woyanne troops left their base at the former Ministry of Defense to recover the body, according to Human Rights Watch. The Ethiopian troops then clashed with insurgent groups, and at least 20 civilians were killed as fighting broke out in various parts of the city.
In the evening, an artillery shell reportedly fired by an Ethiopian Woyanne tank hit Mogadishu’s largest market, Bakara, killing six people.
The next morning, residents of the Livestock Market found the bodies of a dozen civilians. According to Somali journalists, some of the victims had been rounded up by Ethiopian Woyanne troops the previous day.
Within 24 hours, 30 wounded people turned up at a single Mogadishu hospital, including a 3-year-old boy and a 90-year-old man, both with shrapnel injuries. Doctors claim most of the wounded were non-combatants, and half were children and women. Because of the ongoing clashes and the closure of many roads, the doctors predicted that some victims would not reach the hospital until November 10.
“Fighters on all sides must also respect that hospitals, medical staff, and humanitarian convoys enjoy special protection under humanitarian law,” said Takirambudde.
Tens of thousands of civilians continue to flee Mogadishu, especially the Huriwa, Hamar Jadid, and Gubta neighborhoods, which have been pounded with heavy weaponry.
International humanitarian aid agencies trying to reach people in need have encountered obstacles, some reportedly created by officials of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG), who have even been accused of threatening aid workers. The World Food Program, which distributes food to 75,000 people in Mogadishu, temporarily suspended operations following the detention of its director by TFG officials on October 17.
“The TFG also has a responsibility to ensure that aid agencies are able to carry out operations without threats or obstruction, particularly at this critical time,” said Takirambudde.
2 thoughts on “Mogadishu clashes devastating civilians – HRW”
It is simply unparalleled tragedy caused by Meles the tyrant and his Tigrean thugs. Today however, I am consoled with the death of KINFE ABRAHA, In fact I am rejoicing the death of this little evil guy who was the alter ego of the Devil himself, Meles Zenawi.
He was the architect of Woyanes foreign policy of deception, who leads the public relations propaganda with the foreign dignitaries and media such as the BBC. It is a big loss for Woyane as neither Seyoum Mesfin, Berhane G/Kirstos or Samuel Assefa can barely construct a sentence in English let alone articulate the Woyane foreign policy of deception.
He was also the architect of the Ethiopian Eritrean war, architect of the Woyane adventure into Somalia, architect of the Ogaden Somali genocide, architect of the death and killings of thousands of Ethiopians. I wished he lived longer to face the crime against humanity – or better yet to be dragged on the streets of Addis.
His death was reported natural cause but it is the Cognac served by AL AMOUDI’s – Sheraton Executive Bar that he patronized until a week ago.
I only say BURN IN HELL!!!
It is simply unparalleld tragedy that is caused to the people of Somalia by Meles the tyrant and his Woyane thugs.
Today I am consoled with the good news of the death of KINFE ABRAHAM, the architect of the foreign policy of deception of the Woyane autocratic rule. It was reported that he died of natural causes, my guess is that Cognac that he was drinking daily at the Sheraton – sponsored by AL AMOUDI – “Ye Tigre Tigab Mechereshaw Yihe new”.
This little guy was an alter ego of the devil Meles and single handedly led the Woyane herd through the intrigues of public relations with foreign dignitaries and foreign media such as the BBC.
He was also the architect (behind the scene) of the Ethio-Eritrean war and responsible for the death of thousands of Ethiopians as sacrificial lamb to Woyane power. He was also the architect of Woyane adventure into Somalia and the genocide of the Ogaden Somalis – So he has too much blood in his hand. I only wished he lived to face justice for the crime against humanity – or better yet dragged on the streets of Moquadisho instead of the misguided Ethiopian soldiers.
In anycase I am extremely happy to see this ugly little guy leave the stage – and wish many of his accomplices follow him sooner than later.
I SAY BURN IN HELL!