by Abdirahman Dini, Hiiraan Online
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Sunday, July 13, 2008
Abdirahman Isse Addow who spoke on behalf of Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) said the killings were carried out by UIC forces and called the two men killed “spies serving Ethiopian troops” and added that the same fate awaits anyone who serves Ethiopians.
Many residents in the city, however, expressed sadness over the killing of the two young men and said it would have been better to warn them since all they were doing when they were caught was to provide drinks to Ethiopian troops in exchange for money.
Moreover, UIC forces are still holding people who have been arrested while trading with Ethiopian troops stationed at Jante-kundisho camp and it is not clear what UIC forces plan to do with them.
Although last night’s killing of the two young men by the UIC forces is new to the city, it is nevertheless a strong warning to those who dare trade with Ethiopian troops at Jante-kundisho camp.
Finally, it is important to note that although the UIC forces have the support of the overwhelming majority of the city’s and the region’s residents, at least anecdotal evidence indicates so, they need to exercise caution as acts like these may be seen by people in the region as an overkill and excessive use of force.
Additional contributions by Mohamed Amin, Hiiran Online
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© 2008 Hiiraan Online Inc.