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ONLF Initiates Coordinated Attacks, Suffers Heavy Losses
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¶12. (C) UN Security Chief Macapili told PolOff the
coordinated ONLF attacks on GoE and military installations
across the Somali region on November 11 were a strategic
victory, despite heavy ONLF losses. The level of
coordination and large number of insurgents involved
surprised many in the region, and the UN Department of Safety
and Security believed the attacks represented increased
capability, strength, and membership of the ONLF. Macapili
added that the attacks, launched three days after the GoE
released a statement that the ONLF presented no threat to
government interests in the Somali region, was likely
designed to demonstrate the ONLF's relevance and tactical
abilities. Attacks were carried out in 21 locations across
five zones, but Macapili described four of these attacks as
"very well planned" and the remaining 17 as "hit and run"
attacks that may have been included on late notice. Macapili
reported approximately 200 ONLF and 50-100 government forces
were killed in the attacks. (Comment: UNDSS's figures on
attack locations and casualties match estimates received by
other Mission sources. As is common, the GoE and ONLF
respectively released figures demonstrating few losses on
their own side, and greater losses on the opposite side.




