Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ADDISABABA1648
2006-06-16 10:31:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Addis Ababa
Cable title:  

ETHIOPIA: ETHIOPIAN MILITARY TO RESPOND IF

Tags:  PREL PTER MOPS ET SO 
pdf how-to read a cable
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O 161031Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
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INFO RHMFISS/CJTF HOA IMMEDIATE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
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RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001648 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF DAS YAMAMOTO AND AF/E
USUN FOR A/S DR. FRAZER
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS ET SO
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: ETHIOPIAN MILITARY TO RESPOND IF
ISLAMIC COURTS TAKE BAIDOA OR NEAR BORDER

REF: A. IIR 6 830 0169 06

B. ADDIS ABABA 1646

Classified By: CHARGE VICKI HUDDLESTON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ADDIS ABABA 001648

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF DAS YAMAMOTO AND AF/E
USUN FOR A/S DR. FRAZER
LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/15/2016
TAGS: PREL PTER MOPS ET SO
SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: ETHIOPIAN MILITARY TO RESPOND IF
ISLAMIC COURTS TAKE BAIDOA OR NEAR BORDER

REF: A. IIR 6 830 0169 06

B. ADDIS ABABA 1646

Classified By: CHARGE VICKI HUDDLESTON FOR REASONS 1.4 (B,D)


1. (C) Summary. On 15 June, DATT met with MG Yohannes
Gebremeskel, Head, Intelligence Main Department of the
Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF). Yohannes said the
Islamic Courts are likely using "freelance" militias to
expand their control beyond Mogadishu. He said they had
taken Jowhar. He said the Transitional Federal Government
Parliament in Baidoa remains divided on what should be done.
Eritrea continues to support to the Islamic Courts and
Ethiopian rebel groups. End Summary.


2. (SBU) Note: This cable is derived from a DATT IIR (reftel
A).


3. (C) Yohannes said he is developing various courses of
action as a precaution to what the Islamic Courts could do as
well as trying to determine weaknesses. He said the Islamic
Courts have clear objectives, a slogan "defending holy
Somalia", and are organized. He said it is easy for the
Islamic Courts to control Mogadishu, but as they expand their
area they could have difficulty maintaining effective
control. They will require more resources and forces to
expand their area of control. He said the Islamic Courts
currently have moved 90 to 100 kilometers from Mogadishu.
Yohannes stated that if the Islamic Courts reach and take
Baidoa and/or cross the border Ethiopia would respond
militarily and go deep.


4. (C) Yohannes criticized the warlord alliance stating it
was not real alliance and that the various clans only joined
together for as short time for money. He added these
alliances tend to fragment easily.


5. (C) Yohannes stated Eritrea continues to send arms and
funding to Somalia for the Islamic Courts and Ogaden National
Liberation Front (ONLF) and al Ittihad al Islamiya (AIA) in
order to destabilize Ethiopia.


6. (C) At the request of the Charge, DATT called LTG Samora
Yonus, Chief of General Staff ENDF to request an appointment
immediately to discuss Ethiopian military intentions. Samora
refused to meet DATT, but said Ethiopia continues to monitor
the situation. DATT asked if Ethiopia had begun moving
troops toward Somalia. Samora asked why and said, "does the
U.S. want Ethiopia to move into Somalia." DATT responded,
"no, we don,t want to be surprised by such a move." Samora
repeated his statement about monitoring the situation. He
said the Charge should talk to the Prime Minister (reftel B)
if she wants more details.


7. (C) DATT called MG Bacha Debele, Eastern Region Commander
whose forces would go into Somalia if Ethiopia decided to go.
Bacha currently is at his headquarters in Harar. DATT asked
if his forces had begun moving into or toward Somalia. He
said they had not, but that he had begun planning for such an
operation and that it was likely they could go soon. He said
this action would be in self defense. He did not give a
timeframe. He said it would take a little time to make the
plans and assemble the forces for such an operation. He
added Ethiopia had experience in such operations having
conducted them in the past. He said Baidoa remains a key
town and Ethiopia could not let the Islamic Courts take
control of it.
HUDDLESTON