Nogob province
Reports reaching our service desk from our Ogaden Online and Radio Xoriyo reporters in and around the city of Fiiq detail recent, fierce battles between Ogaden National Liberation Army, ONLF, and the Ethiopian military.
These battles are said to have taken place in a place known as Dhanqa, which is about twelve kilometers north of the city of Fiiq. These fierce battles took place on May 16th, 2007. As reported by our reporter in the area, these battles happened in the same town, Dhanqa, but at two different areas of the town.
Ethiopians military personnel numbering about 79 who were traveling in a military Ural transport vehicle are reported to have been attacked by ONLA personnel in Dhanqa. Eyewitness accounts confirm that all aboard this transport Ural vehicle perished.
Locals told our reporter that when ONLF successfully destroyed the Ural transport truck, the Ethiopian military, stationed in Fiiq, sent reinforcements unbeknown to them that all aboard the truck have died on the spot
. About hundred and fifty soldiers left Fiiq for Dhanqa as a reinforcement. These hundred fifty soldiers were waylaid by the same ONLF
personnel who successfully destroyed the Ural transport truck.
It is reported that a battle lasting hours took place between ONLF and the Ethiopians at Dhanqa. Eyewitnesses report that the Ethiopian military sustained heavy military losses. It is reported that about two thirds of the reinforcements were killed by ONLF which was in defensive positions and had prior knowledge of the precise movements of the Ethiopian reinforcements sent from Fiiq.
One of our reporters who is currently visiting many parts of Ogaden on an investigative assignment says that it appears that Ogaden citizens welcome the heavy losses incurred by the Ethiopian forces. He adds that the swift victories so far recorded by ONLF against the Ethiopian colonial forces throughout Ogaden stuns locals.
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