Rebel group says Ethiopian troops flee to Sudan following attack

June 8, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — A rebel group operating in north-western Ethiopia destroyed a camp of the regular army in Gojam in north-western Ethiopia. A rebel statement said that Ethiopian troops escaped to the neighbouring Sudan.

In a press release on Tuesday 7 June, the rebel Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF) said they had attacked Ethiopian army base at Qwara in north western Ethiopia. The rebel EPPF army pursued the retreating soldiers until they crossed the border of neighbouring Sudan.

“Due to the intense attack, the surviving weyane (Ethiopian) soldiers abandoned their camp and started escaping on foot” the rebel statement reported.

Six Ethiopian political forces, at the end of last May, formed the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD). In this political umbrella the EPPF seats beside Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP), the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF).

The EPPF presence has been intensified in the Gonder and Gojam area. A campaign of informing and educating for the residents of this area was organized by the EPPF to create ties with the local population and generate support and cooperation in these rural parts of Ethiopia.

(ST)