Youths clash with military in Somali region

NAIROBI, Kenya - Several people were critically injured following clashes between the military and some youths from the Somali region of Ethiopia, reports indicate, with the battle mainly taking place at Kebri Dehar town in Ethiopia, just a few weeks after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed pledged to ensure security has been restored.

The Somali region famously known as Ogaden neighbors Somalia and Kenya and has been the epicenter of serious local conflicts which have led to the deaths of thousands of people previously. The region witnessed the worst war in 1977 when Somalia tried to reclaim the region from Ethiopia.

Although the genesis of the conflict still remains unclear, it is, however, certain that the youths, armed with crude weapons, started pelting stones at the members of the Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF] who were passing through the town at that time to an unknown destination.

Provoked by the incident, the heavily armed troops responded by using live bullets at the youths, injuring over ten of them. Those injured have since been rushed to nearby hospitals for advanced treatment, which could trigger conflict between Addis Ababa and Jigjigga, despite their close working relationship.

The incident sparked outrage in the town, with many angry residents taking to the streets to protest the military's actions. Many shouted slogans condemning the shooting of civilians by the Ethiopian army, which is not new to controversy both at home and away according to previous records.

The local authorities have condemned the incident and announced their intention to meet with military officials to discuss what happened. Already, the situation has calmed down but there are elements of uncertainty given the nature of the attack and the decision by the military to use live ammunition.

Ethiopia is slowly getting back on track after years of internal conflicts, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed leading the healing process. Mr. Ahmed, who hosted a number of people recently from across the region, emphasized the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution measures, noting that they help to avert conflicts.

GAROWE ONLINE