The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), an Ethiopian rebel group operating in eastern Ethiopia, said today that its fighters have killed 626 Woyanne regime troops in latest fighting since Nov. 10, 2009. ONLF sent the following military communique to Ethiopian Review:
The Ogaden National Liberation Front’s latest multi-front offensive, which began on 10 November 2009, has resulted in a total of 626 Woyanne regime troops killed thus far. Among the killed are twelve field officers.
The ONLF has captured sensitive intelligence gathering material including communications monitoring equipment.
ONLF casualties were minimal given that our forces had the element of surprise on all fronts.
A significant amount of military hardware has been captured or destroyed including small
arms, ammunition, and communications equipment. Military grade maps have also been captured. A total of 4 large military transport vehicles have been destroyed.
ONLF field commanders are encouraging scattered regime troops still in the vicinity to surrender. They will be treated humanely and those wishing to be transferred to our allies the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) will receive safe passage to OLF units.
A significant number of civilians are now receiving medical care from ONLF units. Our forces have also freed Somali civilians which were detained in several of the regimes barracks taken by our forces during this operation. Many of those civilians show signs of torture.
The bodies of the regimes troops are still scattered on the battlefield in places such as Obolka where they present a health hazard to the local Somali community. Military operations are still ongoing.