Oromo rebels claim killing five Ethiopian soldiers

Feb 28, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — rebel Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) armed wing of the Oromo Liberation Front, (OLF) operating in eastern zone has killed 12 Ethiopian soldiers as it continues attacks against government forces.

According to the Voice of Oromo Liberation audio website, on 21 February 2007 the rebel OLA fighters operating in eastern zone attacked Ethiopian troops at a place called Wachu, killing five soldiers, among them the officer commanding them, and severely wounding over seven others.

The soldiers were moving from Midhaga to Arada Mudhi-Bale when they came under attack. Two AK-47 riffles and many rounds of ammunition were also captured in the attack.

Terrified by the attack, surviving regular soldiers scattered and retreated to where they had come from, the rebel radio said.

The rebels said on 17 February OLA troops operating in eastern killed 47 soldiers, among them a military commander.

(ST)