Oppression
of the Isaaq Clan-Family
- The
Isaaq as a clan-family occupy the northern portion of the country.
Three major cities are predominantly, if not exclusively, Isaaq:
Hargeysa, the second largest city in Somalia until it was razed
during disturbances in 1988; Burao in the interior, also destroyed
by the military; and the port of Berbera.
-
- Formed
in London on April 6, 1981, by 400 to 500 Isaaq emigrés,
the Somali National Movement (SNM) remained an Isaaq clan-family
organization dedicated to ridding the country of Siad Barre. The
Isaaq felt deprived both as a clan and as a region, and Isaaq
outbursts against the central government had occurred sporadically
since independence. The SNM launched a military
-
-
- campaign
in 1988, capturing Burao on May 27 and part of Hargeysa on May
31. Government forces bombarded the towns heavily in June, forcing
the SNM to withdraw and causing more than 300,000 Isaaq to flee
to Ethiopia. The military regime conducted savage reprisals against
the Isaaq.
The same methods were used as against the Majeerteen--destruction
of water wells and grazing grounds and raping of women. An estimated
5,000 Isaaq were killed between May 27 and the end of December
1988. About 4,000 died in the fighting, but 1,000, including women
and children, were alleged to have been bayoneted to death.
Human Right Crimes
 A LONG-TERM HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS
Building human rights in the disintegrated state
REPORTS OF AND EXAMINATIONS OF TORTURE VICTIMS
Mass Graves Picture
Mass Graves Video 
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