From: Berhane Habtemariam (Berhane.Habtemariam@gmx.de)
Date: Sat Nov 14 2009 - 07:51:24 EST
Ethiopia rebels claim massive counter-offensive
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AFP
Sat Nov 14, 2:31 am ET
ADDIS ABABA (AFP) - Ethiopian rebels have launched a wide offensive in the
southeastern Somali ethnic Ogaden region and recaptured seven towns from
government forces, they claimed Saturday in a statement.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said in a statement received by
AFP that it had launched a broad offensive on several fronts on November 10.
"The operation involved thousands of ONLF troops and resulted in two days of
heavy fighting. A significant number of Ethiopian troops have been killed
and their military hardware captured or destroyed," it said.
The ONLF said its forces entered the towns of Obolka, Hamaro, Higlaaley,
Yucub, Galadiid, Boodhaano and Gunogabo, where government forces had
deployed troops and positioned military hardware.
"ONLF forces were warmly welcomed by the population in these areas and are
administering medical care to those civilians killed by retreating Ethiopian
occupation forces," the statement said.
Formed in 1984, the ONLF is fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis
in Ethiopia's oil-rich Ogaden region, who they say have been marginalised by
Addis Ababa.
The Ethiopian military launched an offensive against ONLF rebels after they
attacked a Chinese-run oil venture in Ogaden in April 2007, killing 74
people.
In April, Ethiopia said it had significantly weakened the rebels, a claim
the insurgents dismissed.
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