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Tuesday, July 23, 2024
File photo: Ethiopian troops fighting in the Hiran region of Somalia display the Ethiopian flag on military vehicles.
Beledweyne (HOL) — Hundreds of Ethiopian soldiers Crossing the border Ethiopia and Somalia share the Hiland region the second time In the past month.
The heavily armed troops, escorted by several military vehicles, entered the Feerfeer area of Hiiraan in the early morning. Tuesday morning. They have spread to various areas, including Djawier, Birgadid, Omad and Kabuno, between Matabane and Beledweyne.
The exact purpose of these troops entering Hiran remains a mystery as no official statement has been made. This is the second time in a month that Ethiopian troops have entered the area. Confidential sources said the troops’ mission could be to escort Ethiopian troops stationed in Hiran as part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Residents of the affected areas have expressed great concern and anxiety regarding the number of soldiers and military vehicles present. Their concerns are palpable, especially as the Federal Government of Somalia and the Hiraan Regional Administration have yet to make any official statement regarding these large numbers of troops, which are not believed to be part of Operation ATMIS but are entering the Hiraan region for the second time in approximately 30 days.
Somalia wants all Ethiopian troops Leaving the country By the end of 2024, coinciding with the expiration of the ATMIS mandate. Somalia’s National Security Advisor, Hussein Sheikh Ali, stressed that Ethiopian troops will not be part of the new African Union force scheduled to begin protecting key Somalia facilities in January 2025. The decision came after Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January 2024, which granted Ethiopia the right to lease the Red Sea coastline in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Somalia strongly rejected the MoU as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In addition to the troop movements, thousands of Somaliland soldiers recently entered Ethiopia For military trainingThis development is Defense Agreement The presence of these soldiers further strains relations between Ethiopia and Somalia, which accuses Ethiopia of undermining its sovereignty, after Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen military cooperation.
Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs turn down Somalia accuses of unauthorized border crossing ‘No basis’ All troop movements were claimed to be part of routine training and operational activities under ATMIS and bilateral agreements. However, Somalia has formally filed allegations with the United Nations, claiming that Ethiopian troops not part of the African Union mission have crossed into Somali territory.
Relations between the two countries deterioration Since the signing of the memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, diplomatic tensions and Provocative accusationsSomalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been actively seeking political and military assurances from Ethiopia in response to its threats to Somalia’s territorial integrity.
The presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia, particularly in the Hiran, Southwest and Jubbaland states, has been crucial in the past in combating the threat posed by al-Shabaab militants. A potential withdrawal or reorganization of these forces could create a security vacuum that the insurgents could exploit. Somali regional officials said Expressing Concern There are concerns that the impact of Ethiopian military absence could benefit Al-Shabaab.
Somalia’s allies, including Egypt, Djibouti, Eritrea, Turkey, the United Nations, the European Union and the Arab League, have supported Somalia’s position to maintain its territorial integrity. The African Union faces the challenge of mediating among its member states to resolve the post-ATMIS security arrangements in order to ensure stability in the region.
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