Onlf Killed 35 Ethiopian Soldiers

[Khalid Ali]

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - Rebels in Ethiopia's Ogaden region said on Friday they had killed 35 government troops in three days of fighting, a charge dismissed by the government.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) wants autonomy for the ethnic Somali-dominated province, which is drawing interest from foreign firms who think its deserts might hold significant oil and gas deposits.

The group said in a statement that hundreds of civilians were tortured by government troops in November after they were displaced from their localities.

"A brigade has engaged the Ethiopian Army on multiple fronts around Degahbur from November 23 to 25. They lost 35 soldiers in the operation, with many wounded," the ONLF said.

"This operation was to disrupt the Ethiopian government's new strategy of evicting people from their habitat and confiscating their properties, then taking them to killing centres," the group said.

Government spokesman Shimelis Kemal dismissed the claim.

"What happened was that the army was conducting a mop-up operation to get rid of bandits. Six of their members were killed while two were captured," he told Reuters by phone.

Ethiopia says the Ogaden basin may contain gas reserves of 4 trillion cubic feet and major oil deposits.

[EEGA9]

Good work JWXO, there was more clashes after this...Gurmad from Jigjiga and Qabribayax was turned back after getting ambushed so these guys were almost anihalated.Jabhadu way ku raaxeysatay

Ethiopia's official policy deny/lie about everything whether hunger,war,Elections, etc Just like Mengistu, same tricks different dog.