HARGEISA (SD) – The Somaliland government has launched a campaign to arrest and deport undocumented Ethiopian nationals back to their country.

Police forces in the city, equipped with vehicles designed for transporting detainees, were seen this morning in market areas rounding up Ethiopians residing illegally in Somaliland.

While many Ethiopians in Somaliland are refugees or hold valid visas and are employed, there are also those who enter the country illegally each year, some of whom are later deported.

These individuals, predominantly from the Oromo ethnic group, the largest in Ethiopia, are mostly young people engaged in low-paying jobs such as car washing, while others beg for a living.

The Puntland regional government in Somalia has also initiated a similar campaign following allegations that Ethiopian nationals were involved in terrorist activities.