Ethiopian govt, rebels both claim victory in clash

Monday, July 06, 2009

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - The Ethiopian government and a rebel group have both claimed victory after weekend clashes in the east of the country.

There was no way to verify either side's claims because of severe restrictions on reporting from the region.
Ethiopian Communications Minister Bereket Simon said Monday the government captured 60 men trying to cross the border with war-ravaged Somalia in two clashes.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front says it killed 90 government troops and injured 100 others.

The rebels have been fighting for over a decade for greater autonomy for eastern Ethiopia, which is ethnically Somali. The government accuses the rebels of being terrorists funded by its archenemy Eritrea.
Both sides agreed a local government-allied militia was involved in the weekend fighting.

Source: AP, July 06, 2009

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