Somalia claims invasion by Ethiopian forces

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 6

Somalia claims invasion by Ethiopian forces

NZPA-Reuter Nairobi Ethiopian infantry forces backed by combat aircraft invaded north-western Somalia early yesterday and fighting was in progress along a 40km front, Somalia’s Defence Minister said.

The announcement said the invasion started shortly before dawn when Ethiopian infantry units crossed the border and aircraft bombed at least fine towns.

The Somali allegations could not be immediately confirmed by independent sources. I

In Washington, Government officials were initially sceptical about- the size of the military operation; reports of fighting had been received but nothing of the magnitude being reported.

The Somali Ambassador to the United States reported the invasion to the State Department at midday yesterday.

Ethiopia, with the aid of Soviet advisers and Cuban troops, defeated Somalia in a war over eastern Ethiopia’ Ogaden Desert region last year. Then, regular Somali troops fought alongside

ethnic guerrillas seeking to unite the Ogaden with Somalia, which has long claimed it.

i Since then, the guerrillas have continued a hit-run war against the Ethiopians and Ethiopia has alleged that Somalia was still infiltrating troops into the desolate region. Ethiopia said earlier this month that its patience was wearing thin over fighting in the Ogaden. It accused Somalia of having regular military forces in the territory and warned of possible retaliatory action.