ONLF looks Hamaz for Inspiration

[Queen_Arawello]

Although ONLF managed to sustain the insurgency and take the Ogaden conflict into the international spotlight, they need to adopt some of the radical tactics used by Hamaz resistance group in order to highlight the Ogaden cause through the mainstream media, they would have to move from the traditional, rural-based guerrilla operations to include hamaz style urban guerrilla insurgency.

urban guerrilla offensive is not as easy as a rural rebellion. It demands multi-faceted sophistication in training, equipment, coordination as well as in communication. It requires a level of logistical expertise and intelligence networking capable of measuring up to the rival military capacity. It will therefore require a significant material muscle which the ONLF may not easily acquire. But it will be a worthwhile investment for anyone fighting a modern guerrilla war with the odds massively tilted in favour of the enemy.


An urban insurgency offers the guerrillas more flexibility in terms of military targets and timing of events. It increases the fighter’s versatility, compelling him to adapt to diverse situations and acquire as many skills as possible. Since it flourishes on stealth and deception, the fighters have a better command of the situation as they often strike fast and withdraw before the target recovers from the shock. For an organization that is fighting in its backyard against a conventional army, the bulk of whose personnel happen to be foreigners, this should further level the equation. The guerrilla has superiority in
his intimate knowledge of the environment and the support of the local population. Through a network of informers, sympathizers, safe houses and sleeper cells, the rebel will relatively feel at home as he constructs his plans.

The ONLF will be able to extricate itself from the publicity blackout imposed on it by Ethiopia.

This will amount to a propaganda coup and the ONLF can compete with the government on a more balanced footing. Liquidating valuable targets in towns and attacking military installations will erode the fictitious aura of normalcy that Ethiopia has worked so hard to weave around the restive province. A liberation struggle must often play to the gallery of public pride and assuage the people’s battered egos. Assassinating these targets will have an immense impact on the people’s psychology and elevate the standing of the resistance. It is always easier to fight within an ambience of a robust public confidence.

The Ogaden is a vast, under-developed and under-guarded region. It would therefore not be difficult to smuggle modern weapons suitable for urban operations. The massive popular hatred of the system works to the advantage of the ONLF. It would not very expensive planting and maintaining agents and sleepers in such an auspicious backdrop. The urban guerrilla is anonymous and blends with the population easily. This allows him to carry out espionage, sabotage or assassination hits without blowing his cover.

An urban rebellion will enable ONLF to take the battle to the Ethiopian military. Presently, it is the army which initiates the offensive and the fighters ambush them. How about reversing the trend and raiding their barracks and patrols inside towns and wrenching the initiative from their grip? The psychological impact of this will be devastating. In addition, this is likely to deflect some of the burden from the rural fighters who are now bearing the full brunt of the military machine. They will get more opportunities to more effectively storm military outposts, because a military that is fighting on two fronts will have to spread its personnel more thinly and this works best for an outnumbered
organization.

The urban warfare is the most potent technique to hit the military spirit where it hurts most. You can imagine how terrified a Tigray or Amhara soldier will be when his camp is raided overnight and the next morning he is trapped in a street ambush. The crippling fear that nowhere is safe works wonders on even the most tenacious of men. Military offensives don’t yield without a corresponding psychological onslaught.

Urbanizing armed resistance is not just about fighting in urban centers. It is easier for the resistance operatives to engineer public revolt from within rather than preaching via radio. These views may sound quite irrational and incendiary. Why would anyone
goad a party to a conflict to expand the conflagration which is already taking a heavy toll on the people and the region? Why not prod the sides towards a diplomatic route? The answer is as blunt as it is simple: diplomacy needs a ripe moment. Unfortunately, it is not in sight. It has to be conjured, somehow.

[hanqadh]

i wouldnt take hamas as an example because their fighting in urban centre's, there's no fields or jungles.

but ONLF will be starting an urban insurgency not yet however...as far as weaponary is concerned,everything we need will be supplied by the retreating ethio's as usual. our tank brigade's and commando units are ready but we must wait for the right time to execute a strategy, i know something will be happening, trust me

[Queen_Arawello]

True the geography of the two land differs...urban insurgency will give them much need publicity

[MrPrestige]

does ONLF have the balls to attack Urban Areas ?