Somali state view to activate self-defense against TDF

Mustafa Omer, who is the president of the region and he is facing challenges from TDF [File photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali region has vowed to activate self-defense against the Tigray Defense Forces [TDF], who have gained ground against Ethiopia National Defense Forces [ENDF], which has struggled to contain the re-energized Tigray rebels.

Mustafa Omer, who is the president of the region, said he will protect the region from the advances of TDF. The Tigray rebels have already taken over a number of towns in the Amhara and Afar regions of the Horn of Africa nation.

At an event in Jigjiga, the regional administrative capital of the state, Omer said he's ready to mobilize regional troops against TDF. His statement comes at the time the international community is calling for a truce in the country.

“If you hear that TDF has taken over Addis Ababa, you will also hear those Somali Special forces (liyuu) will be fighting against TDF in Addis Ababa. We will protect our region and people at all costs,” Omer said.

At the event, traditional and religious leaders accused TDF of being behind the misrule in Ethiopia when EPRDF was in power for almost three decades. They called for unity and to support the regional administration.

In September, the Somali region dispatched troops to Tigray where they fought alongside the federal army. The TDF has been revenging against the teams which committed "genocide" in Tigray for almost seven months.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has been trying to mediate the crisis and on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the former leader for trying to bring together the two camps.

Already, the conflict has left 700,000 people on the brink of starvation, unconfirmed numbers dead while thousands more have been uprooted from their homes. Also, thousands of people have reportedly died.

For decades, the Somali Regional State has been largely peaceful since the start of the Tigray War. Earlier this year, border clashes with the neighboring Afar regions saw dozens of civilians killed. The region was initially known as Ogaden and was disputed by Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE