Heavy Fighting Flares up in Somali Zone Again -Ethiopia Jigjiga 
Mogadishu (HAN) July 22, 2005-A largely anticipated heavy fighting has flared up this week between Ogaden Clans and Sheikhash Clans in the remote villages of Fiq, Godey, Raaso and Iimay zones of Somali National Regional State.

Even though it is very difficult to obtain a concrete information about the fatalities incurred during this fighting, still the extent of the damage caused by the fighting has seriously been felt in the towns of Jigjiga, Godey, Raaso and Addis Ababa.

A spokesman for the fighters of Raaso (Sheikhash zones) who does not want to be named said the militiamen of Ogaden Clans with the help of ONLF militia and Members Somali National Regional State leaders (Ogaden clan members of the Jigjiga Authority) have launched what he called a decisive attack against their Zones and Villages.

Since the killings of Shekhash civilians, Karanle and Dhuube two weeks ago, the pressure has been mounting and fighting against the strongholds of Ogaden Militias with their support of ONLF fighters was eminent even though each side was accusing the other for being responsible the killings and lootings,  the total number exceeds  more than 562 casualties of both clans. The militiamen of ONLF have set off to attack Raaso zone villages and the areas between Iimay and Raaso, but those of their rival led by Sheikhash Fighters have ambushed them with loses.

Nobody knows about the exact casualty figures as a result of this fighting, but the spokesman for Sheikhash Militia said his men have confiscated two support truck wagons and destroyed others from the Ogaden Clans with their supporters of ONLF members in Jigjiga Authority.

There's no independent confirmation to this allegation. The spokesman did not speak about the death on his side, but he admitted that both sides have suffered serious losses.

There's no word as yet from the side of Raaso leaders about this fighting, but some of the top aids of ONLF Militia leader told Rauters on Radiophone in Godey area they denied that there has been any heavy lost on their side.

Nonetheless, the people in Jigjiga, Addis Ababa, Somali Ethiopian Communities in North America, London, Australia and Europe have been largely speaking about the Sheikhash and Ogaden Clan fighting.

Commuters reaching Godey town have told reporters that they have seen ONLF Militia organizing their men at outskirt of Godey and Iimay zones to attack again Raaso and Iiamy Zones.

This fighting has flared up just a year after Two clan elders and Ethiopian Authority including defence Minister, Somali Zone Leaders and the president of Somali Zone Abdi Jibril and others have issued a statement in which they have warned against such war which they said might lead to clannish fighting between the tribes of Ogaden and Sheikhash.

SRSG Francois Fall’s statement at the Memorial Service in the honour of Abdulkadir Yahya Ali NAIROBI,  (HAN) July 23, 2005 — - My dear friends. We are here today to honour our lately departed Mr. Abdulkadir Yahya Ali - a remarkable and courageous man. I remember my first meeting with him which took place a few days after my arrival. He was, in fact, one of the first Somalis whom I met after arriving here in Nairobi. During our meeting Mr. Yahya impressed me by his commitment, by his optimism and by the remarkable efforts he was undertaking. For me, he was – and still remains - a symbol of hope for Somalia’s future. Mr. Yahya was an enthusiastic worker for the cause of peace in Somalia and it was for that cause that he paid the ultimate price. Somalia lost him at a time when someone like him was needed the most. The shockwaves of his tragic death were felt not only in Mogadishu; not only in Somalia, but all over the world.  In his message expressing his own shock over Abdulkadir Yahya’s death, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that “Mr. Yahya had devoted many years to foster peace and reconciliation in his country and was widely respected by his countrymen and by many in the international community.” The Secretary-General condemned his murder and described it as an act “which undermined the prospects for peace and reconciliation in Somalia.” On 14 July, the Security Council issued a Presidential Statement in which it condemned “in the strongest terms the brutal murder” of Mr. Yahya. It called for the incident to be investigated immediately and for those responsible to be held fully accountable.” I can only echo these two statements. I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Yahya, and especially to his children who should be proud to have had such a father. May God bless his soul. The best way for us to honour Yahya and his memory is intensify our efforts and work together to promote peace, security and reconciliation in Somalia. This is what he would have wanted us to do and this is exactly what I, my office, and the United Nations are committed to achieving in Somalia. Thank You.  21 July 2005

HAN Bulletin is your independent, online intelligence resource edited and published by the regional political historian, veteran newsman and founder of www.geeskaafrika.com (Geeska Afrika Online 1985). Each week he taps his vast network of international intelligence sources to bring you credible insights into geo-political and geo-strategic developments for the Horn of Africa.  Contact at  nurkafi@geeskaafrika.com  (Managing Editor/Publisher)