The Ogaden National Liberation Front, founded in 1984, fights for the rights of local Somali-speaking population. In April, rebels attacked and oil unit killing 74 people, since then there has been continuous violence and fighting in Ogaden. Helicopters fire guns over top the village constantly. The red cross is not allowed in the villages so there is no outsiders that can tell whether the claims against the government are true or if the rebels are the ones attacking.
Recently 1500 refugees crossed into Kenya to get away from the fighting. Roughly 100 rebels were killed this month by the Ethiopian army. In October more then 500 families fled to Dadaab camps in Kenya. The refugees have stated many stories about being raped and abused. They also said men were hung from trees. They think that the Ethiopian army is only coming in to kill, rape, and abuse the villagers.
I have heard many stories of violent attacks on villages but never have I heard the the people fleeing are saying it was the government and its arming doing the harm. It is hard to believe that they are both pointing their fingers and one another and no on can tell who is telling the truth.
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