Ogaden rebels allege killing 140 Ethiopian troops

October 21,2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said, at 6am Ethiopian time on Saturday has killed over 140 Ethiopian troops in a week end assault, 25 kms north west of Wardheer village.

In a statement released today the military operations command center (MOCC) of the group said, “The attack was a direct response to the continual oppression against the ogaden people and to the recent burning of village in the region by government soldiers”

“About one thousand ONLF troops were involved over the assault and thousands of rounds of ammunition and military hard ware including communication equipment are captured” the military command center added.

The government troops were escorting a visiting senior government official Abay Tsehaye and few other government officials.
Ethiopian government has n’t yet comment on the claim

“The attack was targeting the higher officials but, it said they have managed to escape by helicopter after all land routes out of the area were blocked by ONLF forces” the group added.

Abay Tsegaye is a central committee member of the ruling party and close confident of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The Ogaden national Liberation front (ONLF) mainly, ethnic Somalis are a separatist rebel group fighting for an independence of the eastern Ethiopian region, the Ogaden.

In April, the group attacked a Chinese run oil venture killing 77 people including 6 Chinese.

Ethiopian authorities describe the group as “terrorist” and accuses arc foe – Eritrea of backing it.

(ST)