Rebels accuse Ethiopian army of ethnic cleansing

By Aaron Maasho
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Government troops have executed civilians and conducted ethnic cleansing in Ethiopia's Somali Region, a rebel group said on Friday.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said the bodies of a civil servant and a businessman were found dead in Kebridehar in eastern Ethiopia on January 17, a day after they and 17 other people were rounded up by security officials.
The government rejected the allegations.
Government spokesman Shimelis Kemal told Reuters a small gunfight had erupted between local police and ONLF fighters in Kebridehar on January 10 after ONLF members killed a civilian.
"The Ethiopian army was not even involved, and this cannot be considered as ethnic cleansing. It was a measure taken by police against terrorist activities," Shimelis said.
The ONLF said in a statement "Wires that were used to asphyxiate the victims were left wrapped around their necks for further terrifying the town's people."Read More