"Ras" Aserate struggled with the growing unrest in Eritrea. One part of his response was to create two armed groups under his direct control and funding: a commando force made primarily of Christian Eritreans and trained by the Israelis, and an Eritrean security force. The other part was to engage in discrete negotiations in hope of reconciling most of the populace based on appeals to shared highland Christian heritage. However, growing violence by the rebels enabled Aklilu Habte-Wold to undercut his authority and encourage the army to take harsher measures. By 1968 the rebels were fighting pitched battles against Ethiopian military forces. Israeli advisors failed to effectively control the tendency of Ethiopian commanders to use brutal tactics, which drove civilians to seek protection from the rebels. Only with difficulty did "Ras" Asrate dissuade Emperor Haile Selassie from listening to Aklilu and his generals and declare martial law in Eritrea in early 1970. Nevertheless, the Emperor authorized major military campaigns, which not only failed to defeat the insurgents but caused the death of the commanding general. Aklilu's faction was able to convince the Emperor to recall "Ras" Aserate, declare martial law in Eritrea, and appoint General Debebe Haile Mariam military governor.