In the dark annals of African history, the continent has unfortunately witnessed numerous atrocities and genocides. While some have gained international attention, others remain buried under the sands of time. One such forgotten tragedy is the Dilla Massacre, an untold genocide that unfolded during the collapse of the Somalia government in 1991.
The Dilla Massacre was a series of mass killings orchestrated against the Gadabursi tribe by members of the Issaq tribe. This brutal campaign of violence left countless innocent lives shattered and communities torn apart. The roots of this conflict can be traced back to years of clan tension fueled by Siad Barre, the former dictator of Somalia.
In the 1980s, members of the Issaq tribe formed the Somali National Movement (SNM), a rebel group aimed at overthrowing the Siad Barre regime. The SNM found support and assistance from Ethiopia, who shared a common goal of removing Siad Barre from power. This Ethiopian backing provided the rebels with the means to carry out their attacks on the Gadabursi tribe.
The Gadabursi tribe, located in the northwest region of Somalia, became the target of the SNM’s aggression due to their perceived alliance with the Siad Barre government. As the Somali government crumbled, the SNM, with the help of Ethiopian-backed militias, unleashed a wave of violence against the Gadabursi people.
The Dilla Massacre was a deliberate and systematic campaign of extermination. Villages were burned to the ground, women and children were brutally killed, and entire communities were uprooted. The atrocities committed during this period are unimaginable, leaving scars that still haunt survivors to this day.
Despite the magnitude of the Dilla Massacre, the international community remained largely silent. Africa’s history is marred with tragedies, and the Dilla Massacre unfortunately slipped through the cracks. As the world turned its attention to other conflicts and crises, the victims of this genocide were left to suffer in silence.
Thirty years have passed since the Dilla Massacre took place. Somaliland, the self-declared independent state born out of the chaos, celebrates its anniversary. Yet, the wounds from the Dilla Massacre remain unhealed, a painful reminder of the horrors that took place.
It is essential that we shed light on the forgotten atrocities, such as the Dilla Massacre, to ensure that they are not erased from history. By acknowledging and understanding the depth of these tragedies, we can strive towards a future free from violence and discrimination.
In the late 1980s, tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia escalated as the Somali government faced cross border attacks from the SNM (Somali National Movement) with the support of Ethiopian infantry. The Gadabursi people, residing in the border area between the two countries, were primarily affected by these raids. As the attacks intensified, the conflict between the two groups further intensified. This prompted the leaders of Somalia, Siad Barre, and Ethiopia, Mengistu Haile Mariam, to agree in the spring of 1988 to cease their support of rebel groups in each other’s nations.
However, in the summer of the same year, the SNM launched unexpected attacks on cities in northern Somalia, leading to an all-out civil war between the regime and the northern regions of the country. These assaults occurred despite the SNM temporarily losing Ethiopian support due to the peace deal between Barre and Mengistu. Surprisingly, the Ethiopian military once again came to the aid of the SNM during their attacks, disregarding the peace treaty that had been signed. Ethiopia provided the SNM with anti-tank weapons, artillery, and rations. This support continued until as late as November 1990, as Mengistu continued to back not only the SNM but also other rebel groups in Somalia.
Attacks on the Awdal Region
During the conflict in northern Somalia, the Awdal region became the primary target of attacks by the Somali National Movement (SNM), a rebel group. The SNM strategically mined the areas inhabited by the Gadabursi people in order to prevent the Somali National Army from crossing the border and capturing the rebels. In addition to mining, the SNM also employed car bombs, targeting the vehicles of the Somali National Army. One of the most devastating incidents occurred in Borama, the largest city of the Gadabursi people, where the explosion of car bombs resulted in numerous Gadabursi civilian casualties and created chaos within the municipality.
The relentless attacks by the SNM prompted the Gadabursi people to mobilize and resist the terrorism within their own territory. The Somali government, in response to the SNM’s actions, launched an offensive against innocent residents of the Awdal region. Reports indicate that in 1989, Hargeisa and Borama were bombed by the Somali government, exacerbating the chaos, panic, and fear among the Gadabursi and Awdal residents.
The situation continued to escalate in January 1990 as the SNM penetrated Borama, resulting in the death of 200 civilians and the displacement of 5,000 people. The devastation caused by this attack left Awdal citizens stranded and defenseless, as the collapse of the Somali government left them without any means of protection against the SNM terrorists.
However, despite the dire circumstances, the Gadabursi people refused to support the Siad Barre government and instead prepared to defend their state against the rebels and the violence that had engulfed their region. The conflict in the Awdal region was characterized by a cycle of attacks and counterattacks, with both sides using violent tactics to assert their dominance. This period of time marked a dark chapter in the history of Awdal, as innocent civilians suffered the brunt of the conflict and were left to endure unimaginable hardships.
The Dilla Massacre Genocide
Between January and March 1991, a horrifying genocide took place in Somalia, orchestrated by the SNM (Somali National Movement) against the Gadabursi tribe. This period saw an escalation in the violence and murder of individuals who were perceived to be against the SNM. The victims, innocent members of the Gadabursi tribe, were mercilessly targeted solely for their opposition to the SNM. The SNM’s militia went unchecked, wreaking havoc on the Gadabursi people. Disturbingly, those who attempted to flee the violence were met with even more brutality, as they were burned and looted on the national highway.
Numerous atrocities were committed during this dark time. Dilla, the second largest settlement of the Gadabursi, was completely destroyed by relentless bombardments and artillery from the SNM. Families were ruthlessly and senselessly murdered simply because they belonged to the Gadabursi tribe. The capital city of the Awdal region, Borama, was not spared either. The SNM unleashed their wrath on this city and looted its precious resources, plunging the region into further turmoil.
Reports from the tribes of the north indicate that Borama was attacked jointly by the SNM and Ethiopian forces. Such coordinated assaults caused a staggering number of people, over 80,000, to flee their homes and seek refuge in Ethiopia. The situation was dire, as innocent civilians were forced to abandon everything they knew in order to escape the relentless violence that plagued their communities.
According to R.J Hayward and I.M. Lewis, renowned researchers in the field, the destruction and plundering of Dilla by the SNM was an act of revenge specifically targeting the Reer Nuur subclan of the Gadabursi tribe. The authors assert that the town, once a thriving hub for the Rer Mohamoud Nur community, now lies in ruins, its inhabitants displaced and their properties plundered. The SNM’s vengeful actions were fueled by the fierce resistance displayed by this particular group and the Rer Nur subclan as a whole, who occupy the buffer zone between the Isaq and Gadabursi tribes.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of the conflict between the Somali National Movement (SNM) and the Gadabursi tribe in the late 80s was devastating for the town of Dilla. Local reports revealed that the SNM’s primary target was not the Somali Regime, but rather the Gadabursi tribe. As a result, the once-thriving town of Dilla was left in ruins and its residents displaced. The SNM rebels claimed that they were settling “centuries-old tribal scores,” and they seized both rural and urban property belonging to the civilians of Dilla.
Within the Gadabursi tribe, the Reer Nuur sub-clan suffered the most during this entire ordeal. Traditionally, the Reer Nuur served as a buffer between the Gadabursi and the Isaaq, but they became the primary victims of the SNM’s attacks. The assault against them was seen as a means of settling old disputes and scores. The UNCHR has documented the armed conflict between the Gadabursi and the Isaaq, with the SNM conducting “ethnic cleansing” in the Borama region, which is the main town of the Gadabursi tribe.
The SNM continued their campaign of mass killings even after occupying Borama and its surrounding areas. The violence unleashed by the rebels forced thousands of Gadabursi people to flee into neighboring Ethiopia, seeking refuge in camps such as Tog Wajaale and Awbare. These camps provided some respite from the violence, but the scars left by the conflict and displacement were deep and lasting.
Fast forward to 2021, and Somaliland is preparing for elections, touting itself as a beacon of democracy and self-determination. However, any mention of the Dilla Massacre by individuals within the independent state can result in imprisonment and torture. This repression only adds to the pain and suffering endured by the Gadabursi tribe and highlights the challenges faced in achieving true reconciliation and justice. Some members of parliament in Awdal are courageously speaking out, calling for the release of youth who seek to commemorate their deceased relatives. It is a deeply troubling situation that raises questions about the true nature of democracy and human rights in Somaliland.