20th century – 20th century
Ogaden, Ethiopia
The Ogaden War was the 1977–1978 conflict in which Somalia sought to regain the Ogaden, an area of Ethiopia it had previously controlled. A Somali guerrilla organization attacked Ethiopian government positions with support from the Somali government and captured substantial territory. Ethiopia ultimately received Soviet and Cuban military assistance, enabling its forces to recover the region and drive Somali forces toward the border.
Continue exploring
The Story
In 1977, the revolutionary government in Ethiopia faced a major external challenge when Somalia sought to regain the Ogaden. A Somali guerrilla organization attacked Ethiopian government positions across the region, while the Somali government supplied equipment and logistical support. The guerrillas steadily advanced and captured large areas of Ethiopian territory.
As the fighting intensified, the government led by Mengistu Haile Mariam appealed to the Soviet Union for assistance. Moscow had previously supplied equipment and advisers in the hope of gaining influence in Ethiopia, although it had also supported Somalia before changing sides. The Soviet shift angered Somalia, which expelled Soviet advisers and ended its Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Moscow.
Beginning in late November 1977, large-scale Soviet military aid entered Ethiopia, and Cuban troops stationed in Angola arrived to support Ethiopian units. By 1978, Ethiopian and Cuban forces had driven Somali forces back toward the border. Somalia then withdrew its forces from the Ogaden, leaving the Ethiopian army in control of the region.
20th century – 20th century
Ogaden, Ethiopia
The Ogaden War was the 1977–1978 conflict in which Somalia sought to regain the Ogaden, an area of Ethiopia it had previously controlled. A Somali guerrilla organization attacked Ethiopian government positions with support from the Somali government and captured substantial territory. Ethiopia ultimately received Soviet and Cuban military assistance, enabling its forces to recover the region and drive Somali forces toward the border.
Continue exploring
The Story
In 1977, the revolutionary government in Ethiopia faced a major external challenge when Somalia sought to regain the Ogaden. A Somali guerrilla organization attacked Ethiopian government positions across the region, while the Somali government supplied equipment and logistical support. The guerrillas steadily advanced and captured large areas of Ethiopian territory.
As the fighting intensified, the government led by Mengistu Haile Mariam appealed to the Soviet Union for assistance. Moscow had previously supplied equipment and advisers in the hope of gaining influence in Ethiopia, although it had also supported Somalia before changing sides. The Soviet shift angered Somalia, which expelled Soviet advisers and ended its Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with Moscow.
Beginning in late November 1977, large-scale Soviet military aid entered Ethiopia, and Cuban troops stationed in Angola arrived to support Ethiopian units. By 1978, Ethiopian and Cuban forces had driven Somali forces back toward the border. Somalia then withdrew its forces from the Ogaden, leaving the Ethiopian army in control of the region.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.