19 November 2009

Military operations related to the 10 November offensive have concluded in Ogaden. In total, 6 Military Vehicles belonging to the regime have been destroyed thus far by our forces. The death toll from all fronts now stands at 985 of the regimes troops killed including 12 officers with a large number wounded. Military hardware was captured on all fronts of the offensive including small arms, ammunition, communications equipment and other materials of intelligence value. By all measures, the 10 November offensive has resulted in a resounding defeat for the Melez Zenawi regime on all fronts where our forces deployed.

Reliable sources confirm that the regime is now planning a counter-offensive and intends to target civilians in particular. The regime plans to resettle civilians by force and particularly target communities near the active fronts of the 10 November offensive.

Orders have also been issued by the regime to deny international food aid to large areas of Ogaden. This denial of international food aid to the civilian population for political reasons and the forceful planned resettlement of our people into what could lead to modern day concentration camps is unacceptable and clearly a war crime. Donor nations bear a responsibility to hold the regime accountable for their humanitarian assistance which is being used to subjugate rather
support the civilian population of Ogaden.

The regime continues to deny these actions but is clearly fearful of independent media coming to Ogaden to see for themselves the resounding victory of our forces during the 10 November offensive. The ONLF welcomes all independent individual journalists and international media organizations who wish to come to Ogaden and report on events here. We challenge the regime to allow independent media into Ogaden if it has nothing to hide from the international community.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF)