Two Ethiopian rebel groups carried out a joint military operation against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (Woyanne) army in the eastern part of the country. A rebel statement alleged 157 soldiers were killed during the attack.

In a joint military operation, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) and the Ogaden National Liberation Army (ONLA) have killed 157 Woyanne soldiers in various places in the Warder zone of the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia.

According to Voice of Oromo Liberation Front, between 10 and 15 May 2007, commando units of the OLA and ONLA conducted attacks in various places in the zone of Warder killing over 82 Woyanne soldiers and wounding over 75 others.

“The regular troops particularly badly suffered in a battle that occurred at a place called Biyo Daye. Following this battle various types of materiel and many hand grenades and ammunition were captured from the enemy.” The rebel radio said.

OLA, the military wing of the OLF and ONLA, the military wing of the ONLF said they would step up joint military operations against the Woyanne army.

The Ormo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) are members of an opposition coalition (Alliance for Freedom and Democracy) formed on May 22, 2006. The other members of the AFD are the Sidama Liberation Front (SLF), the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) and the Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF).