Ethiopian rebels, government claim gains in restive region

[Kamaavi]

 

Ethnic Somali rebels in Ethiopia's ****** region claimed Monday they killed 90 government troops in recent clashes, but the government denied any losses, claiming victory instead.

 

In a statement, the ****** National Liberation Front (ONLF) said it had "conducted a coordinated military operation" in Kebridehar, Degahabur and Jijiga, in response "to increased harassment and war crimes being committed by the Ethiopian Army".

 

The ONLF "conducted coordinated military operations ... killing 90 soldiers and wounding more than 100 others", the group said, before adding that six Ural military vehicles were destroyed and dozens of assault rifles captured.

 

The group did not disclose when the incidents took place, but said "engagements are still going" on in one locality of the vast region.

 

Government spokesman Bereket Simon admitted "incidents", but said it was the rebels who sustained heavy losses.

 

"They are trying to hide their losses. Once again the militia managed to get them and inflict heavy damage on the ONLF," he told AFP.

 

Bereket said the group sustained around 80 deaths during the fighting.

 

Ethiopia's military launched an offensive against the ONLF after they attacked a Chinese-run oil venture in the ****** in 2007, killing 77 people, including nine Chinese nationals.

 

Addis Ababa recently announced that the rebellion was on "its last knees" as a result of "successful" campaigns against them.

 

"It was the first time they were trying to regroup since the campaign in the region," Bereket said.

 

The ONLF is fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis in Ethiopia's oil-rich ****** region. They say the local people have been marginalised by Addis Ababa.