Ethiopia says it foiled Eritrea-backed “terrorist” attack

May 3, 2010 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia said on Saturday that it has arrested 10 members of the Al- Shabab Islamist radical group and the rebel Orormo Liberation front (OLF) who were conspiraing to launch a terrorist attack ahead of this month’s elections.

“OLF and Al-shabab Terrorists, who were trained and assigned by the Eritrean Government to hamper the 4th national elections, were put under control” said the National Intelligence and Security Service and Federal Police Joint Anti-Terrorist Taskforce statment recieved by ERTA.

The task force said that the Eritrean-sent “terrorists” were put under control while attempting to enter to Ethiopia via Somalia border.

“Other terrorists, also sent by the Eritrean government, along with their arms were caught while preparing for an attack in Addis Ababa City by security forces and the city residents.” it added.

Addis Ababa said the aim of these “subversive activities” is to “tarnishing the image” of the election in Ethiopia.

The statement called on the society at large to foil the terrorist and mercenary attacks of the Eritrean regime against Ethiopia.

Ethiopia often has accused Eritrea of planting bombs in its territory and supporting rebels groups fighting low-level insurgencies against the government; something Eritrea denies.

Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year guerrilla war, but their border was never settled. The two countries fought a bitter territorial war between 1998 and 2000, cutting relations shortly before. U.N. peacekeepers now patrol the border region.

(ST)