Kefyalew Gebre Kassa
Kefyalew is among the ENDF prisoners of war (POWs) captured during Operation Cichoomina Kaayyoo. Originally from Gondar, he represents the tragic story of conscription under Abiy Ahmed’s regime. His brother fights for Fano in the Amhara region, underscoring the fragmentation within families now normalized due to Abiy Ahmed’s civil wars. Kefyalew was trained in Bulbula and deployed across multiple conflict zones.
He fought in the Tigray war before being transferred to Oromia, serving in areas such as Wollega (Fincha, Jartee, Gutin) and Central Oromia (Dirre Inchinni, Muger, Wolenchome, Ibsa Angasa). He recounts harrowing defeats, such as the annihilation of an entire regiment and the eventual collapse of the 11th ENDF Division in Dirre Inchinni by OLA forces. In response, the regime hastily reassembled forces from other divisions to form the new 18th Division, highlighting the desperation and disarray within the military command structure.
Buzuna Belachew Abebe
Buzuna is a young Oromo from East Arsi, a student of automotive electronics before being lured into the military. He was falsely promised training for a role in Abiy’s mythical naval force. Apart from conscription, the regime’s use of deceit to draw young recruits into a military ill-equipped to support them or fulfil its promises.
Seenaa Nagaraa
Hailing from West Shewa, Seenaa confirms the grim reality faced by ENDF soldiers—living alongside government cabinet administrators in military camps. It is first-hand evidence that underscores the regime’s reliance on civilian officials to prop up its failing military, exposing them to risks typically reserved for active combatants.
A Pattern of Lies
The testimonies of these captured soldiers paint a stark picture of the regime’s desperate tactics. The regime forcefully conscripts, or lies to young recruits to entice them into the military, paints an illusion of easy victories claiming that the OLA has been defeated or its commanders have surrendered. These falsehoods not only demoralize soldiers when confronted with reality but also illustrate the regime’s desperate attempts to maintain its dwindling military ranks. Their stories are a testament to the deteriorating state of the ENDF and the human cost of Abiy Ahmed’s continued genocidal campaigns. #Oromia #Ethiopia #OperationCichoominaKaayyoo