Hargeysa, December 2, 2006 (SL Times) – Veteran SNM commander Hassan Yonis Habane passed away last Sunday 26 November at Edna Aadan Maternity Hospital in Hargeysa. He was admitted to the hospital last Thursday 23 November.

Mr. Habane who was one of the leading commanders of the military wing of SNM in the Eighties died of long illness.

Hassan Yonis Habane led the military wing of SNM during its greatest struggle against the dictator president Said Barre’s notorious days in power. In the great offensive, when SNM fighters ill equipped practically through themselves at the well equipped Somali national army in what was former Northwest region of Somalia, Somaliland. Hassan Yonis Habane was the commanding chief of staff leading the SNM forces who went to destroy Said Barre forces which led to his eventual downfall and quick exist of power.

Hassan Yonis was credited for his leadership of the SNM forces and the liberation war against Siyad Barre.

He was born in Hargeysa, and he took his primary/intermediate school in Hargeysa.

On liberating Somaliland from Said Barre forces Hassan Yonis was appointed Commander of Somaliland’s national Army in 1991.

The Veteran was given full state funeral attended by vice president, Ahmed Yusuf Yassin and prominent leaders and government officials he was buried in Hargeysa National Sate cemetery on Monday 27 November 2006.

The staff of Somaliland Times and its sister papers send their sorrow condolence to the Family of Hassan Yonis Habane, as well as to the nation of Somaliland who have lost a dear son and to those of his close colleagues and veterans in the struggle against Barre. He will be greatly missed. May Allah grant him eternal peace. Amen.