Secessionists clash with Ethiopian forces

Press, 20 July 1977, Page 9

Secessionists clash with Ethiopian forces

NZPA-Reuter Nairobi Somali-backed secessionist guerrillas and Ethiopian troops have been involved in a series of bitter clashes in and around Ethiopia’s vital railway city of Dire Dawe, diplomatic sources in the Ethiopian capital have said.

The clashes between the Western Somali Liberation Front and Ethiopian forces represent the first serious fighting between the two sides for the control of the city, which also has a large airport, according to the sources. Dire Dawe is of vital importance to Ethiopia's Marxist military Government because it guards the railroad

from Addis Ababa to Djibouti, along which 60 per cent of Ethiopia’s imports and exports pass.

The sources said the fighting apparently erupted last Thursday and continued for two or three days. Full details of the fighting are still not available. There had been no official comment from the Ethiopian Government, the sources said. The W.S.L.F. claims to control 60 per cent of Ethiopia’s eastern Ogaden region, which is claimed by Somalia as part of its territory. Last month, the front's guerrillas blew up the Addis

■ Ababa-Djibouti railway in • three places. Spokesmen for the front say it is still closed because ! of their continuing harrass- ! ment of the Ethiopians. I Because of Ethiopia’s vital interest in keeping the rails way open, there are growing fears among diplomatic ob- ! servers that the two nations may be drawn into a fullscale conflict. Both the front and the Ethiopians are reported to have strengthened their forces in Ogaden in preparation for a showdown. Ethiopia has alleged that Somali troops are already fighting in Ogaden, but Somalia denies this.