21/12/2023
The 1977 Ogaden war
The Ogaden War, also known as the Ethiopian-Somali War, was a conflict that took place from 1977 to 1978 between Ethiopia and Somalia. The war primarily revolved around the disputed region of Ogaden, which is located in the southeastern part of Ethiopia and is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Somalis.
The roots of the conflict can be traced back to the Somali irredentist claims on the region, as Somalia sought to incorporate the predominantly Somali-inhabited Ogaden into a greater Somalia. At the time, the Ogaden region was under Ethiopian administration, which led to tensions between the two countries.
The war began on July 23, 1977, when Somalia launched a full-scale invasion of Ethiopia, hoping to gain control of the Ogaden region. Somalia's military initially made significant territorial gains, advancing deep into Ethiopian territory. However, Ethiopian forces, with substantial military support from the Soviet Union and Cuba, gradually pushed back the Somali advance.
The conflict was marked by intense fighting, with both sides employing conventional military tactics. The Ethiopian armed forces ultimately managed to regain control of the Ogaden region and even pushed into Somali territory. The war officially ended in March 1978 when Somali forces withdrew from Ethiopia.
The Ogaden War had significant geopolitical ramifications. It strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia for many years and had a lasting impact on the region. It also contributed to the broader Cold War dynamics in the Horn of Africa, as the Soviet Union supported Ethiopia, while Somalia received backing from the United States and other Western countries.
Overall, the Ogaden War was a complex conflict with historical, ethnic, and geopolitical factors at play. It had a profound impact on the Horn of Africa region and the relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia.