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Occupation’s Hazards: Arab News Editorial
The Ethiopians in Somalia have discovered to their cost the same harsh reality confronting the Americans in Iraq: it is easy
for a well-equipped and trained army to defeat in short order an inferior enemy. What follows, however, is frustration and
humiliation as that enemy regroups and begins a guerrilla war against the occupying power.
Regular troops may be able to score isolated victories against insurgents but since the timing of attacks is generally of the
insurgents’ choosing, it is hard, if not impossible, to strike a decisive blow against them. This feeds the frustration of
occupying troops which then turns to anger when their own casualties are subjected to degrading treatment by the
insurgents.
The mutilation of the corpse of an Ethiopian soldier which was then dragged through the streets of Mogadishu by Union of
Islamic Courts supporters was an all too successful provocation.
Ethiopian tank and mortar fire, allegedly aimed at insurgent positions, caused carnage among civilians, bringing to at least
60 the death toll since renewed violence gripped the city on Thursday.
Both the Ethiopians along with the rudimentary Somalia government forces they support and the insurgents are accused of
appalling behavior by Human Rights Watch which has called for all the perpetrators to be brought to justice. There is
presently little chance of that happening. Somalia is returning to chaos and no one, least of all the country’s government,
seems to know what to do about it.
The answer is nonetheless clear. The Ethiopians, like the Americans in Iraq, thought they came as liberators. In fact, they
quickly became part of the problem they had allegedly come to solve. This is even truer in this particular case since
Ethiopia originally said that its troops would leave in a fortnight.
That promised departure long ago faded into the past and now the continued presence of Ethiopian soldiers on Somali soil
causes offense to even moderate Somalis who would themselves have nothing to do with the Union of Islamic Courts.
rather than a way to peace. The response of its soldiers to the appalling treatment of the fallen in no way wins Somali
Washington may think, now is surely the time to leave.
Washington may think, now is surely the time to leave.
Some political leverage might be possible if Ethiopia’s withdrawal were tied to a peace conference at which all parties, the
rival warlords and the Union of Islamic Courts were present. Past efforts to find agreements do not bode well for any deal,
but in the final analysis, this conflict is a Somali affair.
The country’s neighbors, including Ethiopia, have no legitimate role except supportiveness. Somalia must in the end
succeed — or perhaps fail — on its own terms. Outside interference cannot help and indeed has been a major cause of the
present chaotic conflict.
Sirdoon NetWork
Our E-mail: sirdoon@gmail.com
The Ethiopians in Somalia have discovered to their cost the same harsh reality confronting the Americans in Iraq: it is easy
for a well-equipped and trained army to defeat in short order an inferior enemy. What follows, however, is frustration and
humiliation as that enemy regroups and begins a guerrilla war against the occupying power.
Regular troops may be able to score isolated victories against insurgents but since the timing of attacks is generally of the
insurgents’ choosing, it is hard, if not impossible, to strike a decisive blow against them. This feeds the frustration of
occupying troops which then turns to anger when their own casualties are subjected to degrading treatment by the
insurgents.
The mutilation of the corpse of an Ethiopian soldier which was then dragged through the streets of Mogadishu by Union of
Islamic Courts supporters was an all too successful provocation.
Ethiopian tank and mortar fire, allegedly aimed at insurgent positions, caused carnage among civilians, bringing to at least
60 the death toll since renewed violence gripped the city on Thursday.
Both the Ethiopians along with the rudimentary Somalia government forces they support and the insurgents are accused of
appalling behavior by Human Rights Watch which has called for all the perpetrators to be brought to justice. There is
presently little chance of that happening. Somalia is returning to chaos and no one, least of all the country’s government,
seems to know what to do about it.
The answer is nonetheless clear. The Ethiopians, like the Americans in Iraq, thought they came as liberators. In fact, they
quickly became part of the problem they had allegedly come to solve. This is even truer in this particular case since
Ethiopia originally said that its troops would leave in a fortnight.
That promised departure long ago faded into the past and now the continued presence of Ethiopian soldiers on Somali soil
causes offense to even moderate Somalis who would themselves have nothing to do with the Union of Islamic Courts.
rather than a way to peace. The response of its soldiers to the appalling treatment of the fallen in no way wins Somali
Washington may think, now is surely the time to leave.
Washington may think, now is surely the time to leave.
Some political leverage might be possible if Ethiopia’s withdrawal were tied to a peace conference at which all parties, the
rival warlords and the Union of Islamic Courts were present. Past efforts to find agreements do not bode well for any deal,
but in the final analysis, this conflict is a Somali affair.
The country’s neighbors, including Ethiopia, have no legitimate role except supportiveness. Somalia must in the end
succeed — or perhaps fail — on its own terms. Outside interference cannot help and indeed has been a major cause of the
present chaotic conflict.
Sirdoon NetWork
Our E-mail: sirdoon@gmail.com