From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Wed Mar 11 2009 - 14:04:32 EST
Wednesday the 11th of March, 2009
Latest Reports on the Battles Raging in Ogaden
March 11, 2009 Reports reaching the Ogaden Online service desk indicate
raging battles between the Ogaden National Liberation Army (ONLA) and
the Woyane militias throughout Ogaden. All the latest battles took place
between March 4th and March 7th. Casualties are reported on both sides.
Our reporters on the ground and eyewitnesses confirmed that most
casualties were sustained by the Woyane militias. Multiple reports put
the Woyane casualties around 400 deaths. The reports add that in some
places, entire battalions were overrun, garrisons completely taken over,
all military supplies taken, and Woyane militias captured alive and
taken as prisoners.
It is reported that most of the Woyane militias taking part in the
renewed battles are from the battalions that have recently been brought
back from the failed Tigrian military escapades in Somalia. Some
captured prisoners have told some of our reporters that they were
misinformed about the strength of the ONLA.
More than one prisoner indicated that they were under the impression
that the ONLA was just a ragtag army that could not dig in for battle,
let alone wage an offensive or a counter offensive.
The service desk is still in the midst of collecting and corroborating
the news from the frontlines. So far we have received confirmations for
the following battles.
On March 4th in the town of Uubataale which is 12 kilometers to the
major garrison city of Wardheer, the ONLA killed 60 soldiers including a
high ranking official. Among the captured military equipment was
satellite telephone identification and tracking system and an advanced
military communication radio.
In the same vicinity in a town called Afyaraado, it is reported a
counter offensive ONLA force killed 40 Woyane militias who were
attempting to come to the aid of the uprooted force in Uubataale. The
remainder of the reinforcements reached their main base in Wardheer.
They were reported to have dug more defensive trenches, and they were
said to have cut off all contact with the so-called local administration
in the city for fear of being spied on.
On March 5th, a fierce firefight took place in the town of Qamuuda which
is part of Doolo province. In this battle, it is reported that 20 Woyane
militias were killed, more than a dozen taken prisoner, and military
supplies taken.
In Hilla, on March 6th, in Hilla which is closer to Mustaxiil, the ONLA
ambushed Woyane reinforcements. It is reported that 35 Woyane militias
were killed, and two military transport vehicle of the type known as
Urals were destroyed. Other reinforcements were also ambushed by the
ONLA in the vicinity of Abaaqorow and Godey. It is reported that 34
Woyane militias were killed.
On March 07th, confirmed reports indicate a major battle between the
ONLA and the Woyane militias in the town of Goldhebileey which is closer
to Garbo. In this battle, eyewitnesses and reporters on the ground
confirmed the death of 38 Woyane militias. They also confirm that the
ONLA took all the military supplies from the garrison that was deserted
by the Woyane militias. Eyewitnesses in Garbo confirmed that few
militias who escaped from Goldhebileey have reached the town of Garbo.
It is also reported that the remnants of the defeated Woyane militias
fought with the so-called local administration militias. Eyewitness
confirms the death of about 20 militias from the so-called local
administration and the remnants of the defeated Woyane militias.
On March 7th in the town of Baarta Jerar, the death of 33 Woyane
militias was reported. There were many injured Woyane militias many of
whom were brough to the city of Awaare.
There are ongoing reports of sustained major military battles between
the ONLA and the Woyane militias throughout Ogaden. It appears that the
Woyane militias went on the offensive, but are now on the defensive. In
some towns, the ONLA are reportedly in firm control. We are in the
process of collecting verifiable information about all the battles and
will be filing in future reports.
--Ogaden Online News
http://ogaden.com/ognws110309.htm
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