Ethiopian troops have arrested and tortured civilians during a security operation in Beled Weyne town, central Somalia.

The troops arrested seven youths from the town during security operations conducted by the Ethiopian troops yesterday afternoon and last night.

The reason for the arrest of the youths, who were later taken to the Ethiopian military base at Jante Kundishe [on the outskirts of Beled Weyne town] is unclear.

Eyewitnesses say that some of the youth were arrested from the streets, while others were arrested from business premises shopping.

The reason why the Ethiopian troops have arrested them is unclear.

The Ethiopian troops beat the youth with their guns and blindfolded them during the arrest.

Ethiopian troops had earlier arrested suspected insurgents after the [recent] fighting in Beled Weyne, but later released them after investigations.

The Ethiopian troops are holding many people in their secret cells at their base in Janta Kundishe.

Most of the people held there were arrested during security operations, while others were picked from vehicles plying between Hiiraan and central regions.

Somalia has been at war since a group of warlords overthrew a socialist dictator in 1991 and then spent years fighting each other. Over the weekend, 16 of the government’s 15 ministers broke with the prime minister and announced they would resign.

Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein said Saturday that the resignations were designed “to derail the ongoing reconciliation process.” On Sunday, he nominated five new ministers.

By: Abdi Guled