Kenyan, Ethiopian forces clashes after incursion to attack OLF rebels

April 26, 2006 (NAIROBI) — A skirmish erupted in Moyale in northern Kenya between the Kenya security forces and Ethiopian security personnel who crossed into the country early today to attack Oromo rebels.

The foreigners raided Oda Trading Centre allegedly looking for the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels, reported the Kenyan KBC Radio.

The fighting broke out at Somare Hills, three kilometres from Moyale town after a combined force of Kenya Army, Kenya police and administration police officers sealed off the Kenya-Ethiopia border to try to apprehend the Ethiopian security personnel numbering over 60 who had crossed into Kenya.

Uran District officer Michael Lesiman said the Ethiopian forces started crossing into the country three days ago. Lesiman claimed that the Ethiopian forces have kidnapped five Kenyans.

Lesiman told the radio “We have already some soldiers on the ground, about 54 of them. And actually they haven’t come back so the information is still very sketchy. Their in an area called Somare. For the last three days, the Ethiopian army had been crossing into Kenya in search for OLF and now they crossed, they were telling us because we’ve had a meeting just some 20 minutes ago and their telling us they crossed to pursue their enemy, OLF”.

The Kenya combined force is being led by Busieney [and Moyale District officer John Kinjo.

Meanwhile, police HQ has confirmed the skirmish between the Kenyan security forces and Ethiopian militia in Moyale. In a statement, police spokesman Gideon Kibunja said Kenya’s security forces briefly engaged the militia who immediately retreated to Ethiopian territory.

Kibunja said a Kenyan army officer sustained a slight injury during the incident. Kibunja said security forces remain deployed in Somare and Atesa areas to prevent further crime.

(ST)