Ethiopia: Rebels claim killing 94 soldiers

  1. Posted on Wednesday 19 May 2010 - 14:46
    Muhyadin
    Muhyadin Ahmed Roble, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
    Rebels in Ethiopia claimed on Tuesday to have seized an army base and killed 94 soldiers in a major operation. A statement from the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said the insurgents captured the garrison at Malqaqa which located the road between Jijiga and Harar in eastern Ethiopia.
    ETHIOPIA- 5 killed , 20 wounded in explosion
    "The Ethiopian regime's forces lost 94 soldiers and the casualties of the ONLF were minimal given that our forces had the advantage of the element of surprise," the group said.

    But the Ethiopian government denied the ONLF’S claim and described it as completely unfounded and big lie. The government confirmed the attack but said it had been repelled and all the rebels were killed.

    AFP quoted government spokesman Shimeles Kemal as saying "Some ONLF fighters have made an attack on the police force and the local police force not only was able to defend itself but completely wiped out the rebels."

    Both government and insurgents did not indicate the date of the attack. No one can confirm claims of both sides because journalists and aid groups cannot operate freely in Somalis ethnic region of Ogadenia.

    The report comes as more than 29 million Ethiopian have registered to vote next Sunday in the general election.

    The ONLF has been fighting for independence for ethnic Somalis in the Ogadenia since 1984 and accuses the government forces of killing and raping civilians.

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