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The deployment of Emirati unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) on behalf of the Ethiopian government has been speculated on ever since the beginning of hostilities with the rebellious Tigray Region in November 2020.
The oft-repeated claims that several Chinese-made Wing Loong UCAVs operate out of Assab air base in Eritrea to undertake combat missions over Tigray have never been supported by evidence that points towards such a deployment either in 2020 or now. However, almost one year into the conflict evidence that shows UAE-combat drones have indeed been delivered to Ethiopia to help it in its fight against the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) has now finally emerged. [1]
By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
But rather than being the Wing Loongs that were previously claimed to have been active in the skies over Tigray, the delivered UCAVs instead consist of a large VTOL type that can be armed with two 120mm mortar rounds. These unguided mortar rounds offer significantly less accuracy than the guided weaponry deployed by the Wing Loongs or other Chinese UCAVs however, and are of limited use against an enemy that relies on mobility and surprise attacks rather than static defence lines. Their effectiveness decreases even further in urban areas, and it would necessitate great restraint on behalf of their operators not to deploy them in areas that still have civilians in them to avoid collateral damage.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has proven a staunch supporter of the Ethiopian government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. What exactly this support has so far entailed is still the subject of debate. What is known is that large Il-76 transport aircraft frequently fly between the UAE and Harar Meda, Ethiopia’s largest air base. [1] Although the contents of their cargo can currently only be guessed at, they are almost certain to contain military-grade items specifically meant for use in the Tigray Region.
Previous UAE arms shipments to Ethiopia are known to have included large volumes of firearms produced by the Caracal company, which produces a number of modern small arms designs. [2] Much like the Israeli TAR-21 assault rifle also in service with Ethiopia, the weaponry supplied by the UAE was solely distributed to the Republican Guard. In recent times Ethiopia’s Republican Guard saw its tasks expanding to the point where they now actively participate in the Tigray War as one the country’s better-trained forces.
Images of the UAE-delivered combat drones were reportedly taken some four months ago in the Maychew area of Ethiopia’s Tigray Region. [3] After a number of offensives by Tigray forces (which have meanwhile morphed into the Tigray Defence Forces) that sought to dislodge all remaining Ethiopian government forces from the region, Maychew is now firmly under Tigray control. The drone systems themselves likely retreated along with their Ethiopian operators, their range currently insufficient to harass Tigray forces around Maychew yet again.Although the exact drone type that forms the basis for the UCAV design is as of yet unknown, they are identical in design to two UCAVs that were shot down by Houthi forces in Yemen. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these UCAVs were operated by UAE-backed forces at the time of their downing. Images taken of the drones after their descent to earth reveal a large commercial off-the-shelf VTOL design (presumably of Chinese origin) that has been modified to carry two mortar rounds.
To enable the carriage of the heavy 120mm ordnance, two large tubes were fitted to either side of the drone in which the mortar rounds are contained during flight. After finding a suitable target, the mortar rounds are released by remote control and plummet to their target essentially like dumb bombs. This is a highly inaccurate means of targeting even when dropped from low altitude, and limits the drones’ effectiveness to attacking stationary targets or large groups of infantry. In order to achieve the accuracy needed to strike even such simple targets, the rounds would have to be dropped from low altitude. This in turn makes the UCAV vulnerable to ground fire, although no system is reported to have been downed in Ethiopia yet.
From the regular flights of cargo aircraft that repeatedly enter Ethiopian airspace it is clear that its allies are not abandoning it in the face of mounting U.S. pressure to solve the conflict through political means (which, as an aside, is an option both fighting parties so far appear to be willing to consider). Interestingly, this even includes nations that are at odds with each other, with both the UAE and Iran delivering UCAVs and other armament to the Ethiopian regime. There is no doubt this won’t be the last delivery of arms, with the deployment of Chinese and Turkish drones also having been reported about, though never conclusively, on a number of occasions.
Ethiopia Autonomous Media
This is Mesafint Teka, a commander of the armed militia group Kefagn Amhara. A video emerged of him delivering a speech at a packed auditorium said to be in Gondar where he calls on ethnic Amhara youths to join the ranks of his forces and attack Tigrayans in the Amhara region.
“If they don’t show opposition to the TPLF like we have…Tigray(ans) should leave our area, our land our borders, get out of our country! We can meet them head on (in battle)!” Mesafint clutching a rifle and flanked by heavily armed members of his militia tells a crowd.
“we will grasp Tigray in our fist,” which he says while clenching his hand into a fist.The Amhara regional government ought to reel in such people. In trying times like these, where the slightest gestures ignite communal violence and displace people from their homes in the thousands, there is no place in Ethiopia for Mesafint Teka.
Spurred on by the crowd and the event MC, Mesafint even says that if permitted, his forces will invade Tigray and promises “you know the factories that they’ve built over there, we will bring them back here!” to loud applause.Ethiopia Autonomous Media
What’s happening in Tigray is also economic warfare in addition to genocide and weaponized starvation.
How long can you survive without food, water, medicine, fuel, electricity, banks, telephone services, etc? Millions in Tigray are facing starvation in addition to a blockade.Ethiopia Autonomous Media
There has been a lot of confusion in regards to former OLA southern zone commander, Mr Gollicha Dhenge’s return to civilian life. Contrary to government news reports, Mr Gollicha has not been an OLA commander for over a year as he had withdrawn from the field to seek medical treatment. To maintain military operations, Mr Gollicha’s former deputy, jaal Gammachiis Aboye, was promoted to take his place. Following his recovery, Mr Gollicha refused several requests to return to the field and resume his command. Moreover, he also refused to participate in the OLF-OLA General Assembly held in July citing disagreements with the rest of the commanders. We understand his decision to return to civilian life given his health condition, moreover; as a respected veteran of the Oromo struggle who led OLA forces in the southern zone for over a decade, we wish him the best in his future endeavours.Victory to the Oromo and All Oppressed Peoples!
OLF-OLA High Command
September 20th, 2021Ethiopia Autonomous Media
There has been a lot of confusion in regards to former OLA southern zone commander, Mr Gollicha Dhenge’s return to civilian life. Contrary to government news reports, Mr Gollicha has not been an OLA commander for over a year as he had withdrawn from the field to seek medical treatment. To maintain military operations, Mr Gollicha’s former deputy, jaal Gammachiis Aboye, was promoted to take his place. Following his recovery, Mr Gollicha refused several requests to return to the field and resume his command. Moreover, he also refused to participate in the OLF-OLA General Assembly held in July citing disagreements with the rest of the commanders. We understand his decision to return to civilian life given his health condition, moreover; as a respected veteran of the Oromo struggle who led OLA forces in the southern zone for over a decade, we wish him the best in his future endeavours.Victory to the Oromo and All Oppressed Peoples!
OLF-OLA High Command
September 20th, 2021Ethiopia Autonomous Media
It has come to our attention that the current prevailing media narrative on the situation in East Walaga has been heavily distorted from the facts on the ground.
Again we are seeing the media fall into the trap of being misled by the well-organized propaganda campaigns of the irredentist National Association of Amhara’s (NaMA) diaspora wing. This has happened before in regards to coverage of events in Wollo, Metekel, Horo Guduru, and West Walaga. We want to set the record clear on what exactly has been occurring in East Walaga this month and the events that have led up to it.First, it is important to note that the situation in East Walaga is different from what occurred previously in Horo Guduru and West Walaga. In those cases, government-aligned militias working in coordination with Oromia Special Forces committed horrific massacres of Amhara civilians intending to blame the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA). As the Oromia regional state government and the Ethiopian federal government became more focused on the Tigray War, we have seen a complete halt to those false-flag operations- a hint to who was responsible. Since then, as was the case before, Amharas continue to live peacefully in OLA-administered areas without any issue. As we did at the time and repeatedly since then, for the sake of justice we are still demanding an independent investigation into those massacres- we are confident the truth is on our side.
In regards to the situation in East Walaga, Oromo Liberation Army, OLA, over the last year, we have seen the rise of well-trained Amhara militias arriving in the area. Specifically, they have been operating in the part of East Walaga that lies between Nekemte and the Blue Nile (which is the border to Amhara Regional State). On April 15th, armed Amharas drove out Oromo farmers and burned their crops in a place called Mender 10 (also known as Lalistu Angar). The extent of the fires was large enough to be caught on satellite which shows over 3000 hectares of farmland being burned as well as homes (refer to this thread: https://twitter.com/Quen10Tarantino/status/1384417207912906755). In the same month, seemingly in coordination, armed Amharas launched attacks further north in East Walaga- specifically the towns of Agamsa and Kiramu. The situation was dire enough for both the East Walaga Zone Communication Bureau and the Gida Ayana District Communication Bureau to issue similar statements on Facebook decrying the actions of this militia ((i) https://www.facebook.com/wdhkm.godinawallaggaabahaa/posts/499574804786826, (ii) https://www.facebook.com/giddaa.ayyaanaa.9/posts/895531644324976). According to these statements, the militia had targeted and killed 13 Oromo civilians and destroyed 65 structures (including 47 homes). The statements refer to the militia as a “radical force” trying to agitate revolt among Amhara communities that had been resettled in East Walaga during the famine of the Derg era. They also state that the militia, which wore “pale uniforms” and carried an “illegal flag with the symbol of a lion”, was trying to instigate ethnic clashes between Oromos and the Amhara communities in the area. Flyers were being posted in the town of Gutin stating that Oromos had to “leave the ancestral land of Amharas”.
According to our sources, the militia consisted of fighters without uniforms as well as fighters wearing the tan uniform of the Amhara Special Forces. While the civilian administration of the East Walaga zone denounced their operations, the Oromia security officials did not commit to stopping their activities because the militia was also clashing with OLA forces. It was only after the Amhara militia killed 4 Oromia Special Forces unprovoked that the security forces began to take measures. They evicted many Amhara communities not just from Mender 10, but also from further north in Kiramu. The militia was also driven off the main roads and they remained dormant until the beginning of this month. According to the account given by a resident of Kiramu to BBC (https://www.bbc.com/afaanoromoo/oduu-58313687), the male members of the evicted Amharas left their wives and daughters in Amhara regional state and returned to Kiramu, Agamsa, and Haro carrying weapons. According to our forces, a large contingent of armed Amhara men in civilian clothing were seen arriving in Kiramu, Sire Doro, Agamsa, and Amuru after crossing the Blue Nile on August 13th – exactly one day after Oromia Special Forces retreated from the area. Their arrival in Kiramu on that day is substantiated by eyewitness accounts to the BBC. Since then they have been active throughout the area, driving people out of their homes and burning the houses down. For example, in Lalistu Sombo (near Kiramu), they burned down 18 homes belonging to the following individuals plus two others whose names are currently unknown.:
1) Guddataa Jabeessaa
2) Gammachuu Jabeessaa
3) Fiqaaduu Gammachuu
4) Faqqadaa Gamachuu
5) Shaggaa Gammachuu
6) Baabbee Gabulee
7) Dammashaa Girshoo
9) Lammii Jabeessaa
10) Waaqooo Jabeessaa
11) Katamaa Jabeessaa
12) Badhasaa Nagarii
13) Bukkuu Galataa
14) Margaa Abbuyee
15) Tamasgeen Abbuyee
16) Hordofa AbuyeWhen our forces arrived in Kiramu, it was these Amhara fighters that began engaging them in a firefight. They were armed not just with AK-47s but had heavier weaponry such as DShK (locally known as Dishkas) and Dragunov snipers. It was only after they sustained heavy casualties that they were driven out of Kiramu. That same day, in Sire Doro, these newly arrived fighters slit the throats of 7 Oromo civilians accusing them of passing information to OLA forces. It took several engagements with these forces to drive them out of Sire Doro, Agamsa, and Amuru.
Similarly, further south in Uke Karsa and Horo Aleltu, in what again looks like coordinated activity, a unit of uniformed Amhara Special Forces alongside federal forces clashed with the OLA. Following that clash, they severely beat random young men in Uke Karsa, killing 3 of them. From what we know, the federal military’s coordination with this force has caused a rift between the federal military and the Oromia regional forces due to what had happened in Mender 10 back in April of this year.
Our forces are still engaging with this newly deployed Amhara militia who have been undertaking a campaign of burning down the homes of Oromo civilians to intimidate them into leaving the area. So far over a hundred homes have been burned. These fighters are a well-armed, well-trained group with a clear objective to agitate the peaceful Amhara communities in East Walaga into revolt by sparking ethnic clashes. Even though this militia does not wear uniforms and often operates by blending with the existing Amhara communities that have lived side-by-side with our people for almost a century, our forces have gone above and beyond to ensure no innocent civilians are harmed.
However, we are now seeing the usual cabal of diaspora-based propagandists working on behalf of NaMA and the irredentist elements of the Amhara Regional State government to push a false narrative in the interest of their political agenda. Due to this, the contrast between the current prevailing media narrative and the facts on the ground are night and day. They are purposefully presenting the casualties suffered by the Amhara militia as the victims of random, wanton attacks by the OLA on innocent Amhara civilians. It is deeply disappointing and worrying that the Amharic Program of a reputable media organization such as Deutsche Welle has echoed this propaganda and passed it on as a substantiated fact. If there were any innocent civilians caught in the crossfire, we are prepared to accept responsibility and we will do what we can to assure there is justice. We once again demand an independent investigation by the United Nations or any other concerned third party so that the world can understand just how easily the truth gets distorted.
Moreover, we would also like to point out that what is happening in East Walaga right now is not a unique case in Oromia; Amhara state security forces have crossed the border and launched an invasion in Fantale, Karrayu- located in the north-eastern part of Oromia. There has been heavy fighting between Karrayyu Oromo civilians and Amhara security forces which have encroached several kilometres into Oromia. In that situation, we have seen the resettling of people from Amhara state into the captured land in Oromia. This is all part of a trend we are seeing throughout the country: claims of “ancestral ownership” made by the radical, powerful elements in the Amhara regional state’s government are being enforced by the state’s security apparatus. That has resulted in the terror we have seen in Western Tigray, Metekel, Wollo, and now East Walaga and Karrayu. It has been a significant destabilizing factor in the region. When enabled and allowed to reach its objectives; we will see the kind of brutal ethnic cleansing that has happened in Western Tigray be repeated throughout the country. It should be remembered that Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonen- himself a senior official of the Amhara Prosperity Party- not only publicly called for the arming and organizing of Amhara civilians- but personally oversaw training sessions in Metekel (https://addisstandard.com/news-deputy-pm-recommends-arming-civilians-in-metekel-benishangul-gumuz-region-as-spate-of-attacks-by-armed-men-leaves-dozens-killed/). In Wollo, Amhara regional forces launched several attacks on Oromo communities over two years intending to spark a large ethnic clash to use as a pretence to disarm and occupy the local Oromo farming communities (https://www.vice.com/en/article/93ybyy/they-set-everything-on-fire-the-paramilitary-forces-killing-people-theyre-meant-to-protect). There was a horrific case of mob violence when an ambulance carrying injured Oromo civilians from Wollo to the federal capital city (Finfinee) was attacked and everyone inside was brutally murdered (https://addisstandard.com/analysis-horrifying-accounts-of-violence-in-amhara-region-fed-ombudsman-slams-regional-govt-performance-says-303-killed-so-far/). It was only when the Oromo farmers began to defend themselves that the NaMA’s propaganda arm began to promote a heavily distorted account of events. This has been an extremely irresponsible undertaking on the part of the Amhara elite implemented with no regard for the lives of everyday Amhara and Oromo civilians. OLA forces do not consider any nationality or people their enemy, they are on a mission to save this region from the brutality of this oppressive regime and remain committed to that cause.
The international community and media must act responsibly and do their due diligence when covering and considering these events. We live in an age of fake news and propaganda; much of it propagated by state structures themselves. It is easy to fall prey to the spectre of legitimacy that propagandist outfits funded by the Ethiopian state (for example; the Global Ethiopian Advocacy Nexus (GLEAN) and the “Genocide Prevention in Ethiopia” organization) rely on to have their falsehoods accepted. As always, we invite all interested independent parties to come and investigate the issue themselves.
Victory to the Oromo and All Oppressed Peoples!
OLF-OLA High Command
August 25th, 2021Ethiopia Autonomous Media
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLF-OLA) has successfully held a general assembly attended by military commanders, officers, fighters and members.
During this assembly, important decisions were reached with full consensus regarding strategy, current events, and the future of the struggle. Furthermore, new appointments and leadership changes were also made. Participants of the OLF-OLA general assembly held in Gimbi town (Western Zone) included representatives from all four Walaga zones, Jimma, Illu Abba Bora, Buno Bedele as well as representatives from the Central Zone- including the Central Zone Commander. Commanders and officers of the Southern Zone participated in the general assembly virtually.At the conclusion of this assembly, consensus was reached on the following points:
OLF-OLA is its own independent organization which will carry forward the original mission of the Oromo Liberation Front as stated in its 1976 political program.
Jaal Marroo (Kumsa Diriba), formerly commander of the OLA in the Western Zone, has been elected Commander-in-Chief of the OLF-OLA.
Jaal Gammachu Abboye, formerly commander of the OLA in the Southern Zone, has been elected Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the OLF-OLA.
Jaal Odaa Tarbii will continue in his position as International Spokesperson of the OLF-OLA.
OLF-OLA General Assembly
26th July, 2021Ethiopia Autonomous Media
Professor Merera Gudina of Oromo Federalist Congress – OFC, is continuing his town hall meetings across America and delivering his message of unity and determination while taking questions and suggestions from Oromos throughout the United States.
So far, he has been enjoying the love and respect he earned from his people. The welcome is extremely warm wherever he already visited, and the excitement is high with the cities he plans to tour.Ethiopia Autonomous Media
People who are shaken from OLF and trade by its name do not represent OLF
It is known that OLF is a senior organization and has been leading by the superiority of Oromo freedom for the past 40 years. Has been accompanied by various downs throughout these years. He has been recording different accomplishments and then he has been attacking both internally and externally. But even though all these events don’t pay for the struggle, it has made pressure to pay for unnecessary sacrifices.
The people who have been working with Asmera to Finfine in 2018 will not forget that the people who have been doing the wrong doing in 2019 are now working together with the development of the party that is leading the country in 2019 This group is known by the name of OLF or OLF of Oromo people and nations. In the name of OLF party, they have died in the name of the OLF party and have hidden meetings.
In this case OLF has been jailing its leaders in general to keep the organization structures in order not to continue. When the OLF leading the Hilton OLF in front of Arso Bikila, Ibsa tomorrow, Tolera Adaba, Qejela Medassa and Atomsa Kumsa, these individuals are working to destroy the party and confuse the people.
These separated individuals have arrested OLF’s higher officials and arrested the party chairman Mr. Dawud Ibsan and arrested themselves as chairman and deputy chairman. Don’t forget that the question of the board to register for the election is illegal and the board will not forget to fail. At this time when prosperity is in all directions, they have made a statement in the name of OLF and the government cadres and they are making themselves look like the party leaders. In the action of the tension that is being celebrated in this development, including OLF, OLF and Oromo people who have not participated in this. I am Gelasa Dilbo, Dimao, the same people have opened a campaign against the development of Oromo people who haven’t known OLF for 21 years. We would like to remind you to keep people like this.
We would like to prove that the party’s chairman and deputy chairman of the party who are separated from the party like Ararso Bikila, Qejela Mardasa and others like them are giving the party and the vice chairman of the vice chairperson of the party. We would like our people to understand this and follow any press release from our party to listen to the people who were bought for benefit.
We would like to give you oromo advice when you are wrong and join the separatists or to your people when you have to be close to the enemy’s network.
The struggle that OLF has accepted and the people can’t stand under the direction of the party and we should try to correct Oromo youths for freedom (Qerro) and understand that the world is not able to stop this struggle and let us understand that there is no power to stop this struggle. Let us help them to correct Oromo youth and let us stand with it. We will present January so that you can fight for it.
Victory to the oppressed people
Oromo freedom forehead Foreign OrganizationEthiopia Autonomous Media
General Tsadikan at the frontline. With his brilliant military skills, he outsmarted Ethiopia, Eritrea & Amhara forces.
BBC called him “…the finest military strategists in Africa.” He is the greatest military leader Africa has ever seen since the immortal General Alula Aba Nega.Ethiopia Autonomous Media
The oft-repeated claims that several Chinese-made Wing Loong UCAVs operate out of Assab air base in Eritrea to undertake combat missions over Tigray have never been supported by evidence that points towards such a deployment either in 2020 or now. However, almost one year into the conflict evidence that shows UAE-combat drones have indeed been delivered to Ethiopia to help it in its fight against the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) has now finally emerged. [1]
Images of the UAE-delivered combat drones were reportedly taken some four months ago in the Maychew area of Ethiopia’s Tigray Region. [3] After a number of offensives by Tigray forces (which have meanwhile morphed into the Tigray Defence Forces) that sought to dislodge all remaining Ethiopian government forces from the region, Maychew is now firmly under Tigray control. The drone systems themselves likely retreated along with their Ethiopian operators, their range currently insufficient to harass Tigray forces around Maychew yet again.
“we will grasp Tigray in our fist,” which he says while clenching his hand into a fist.
Spurred on by the crowd and the event MC, Mesafint even says that if permitted, his forces will invade Tigray and promises “you know the factories that they’ve built over there, we will bring them back here!” to loud applause.
How long can you survive without food, water, medicine, fuel, electricity, banks, telephone services, etc? Millions in Tigray are facing starvation in addition to a blockade.
In addition to Buzena the Council also elected Faiza Mohammed as Deputy Speaker. Both will serve the Council for the coming 5 years.
Again we are seeing the media fall into the trap of being misled by the well-organized propaganda campaigns of the irredentist National Association of Amhara’s (NaMA) diaspora wing. This has happened before in regards to coverage of events in Wollo, Metekel, Horo Guduru, and West Walaga. We want to set the record clear on what exactly has been occurring in East Walaga this month and the events that have led up to it.
During this assembly, important decisions were reached with full consensus regarding strategy, current events, and the future of the struggle. Furthermore, new appointments and leadership changes were also made. Participants of the OLF-OLA general assembly held in Gimbi town (Western Zone) included representatives from all four Walaga zones, Jimma, Illu Abba Bora, Buno Bedele as well as representatives from the Central Zone- including the Central Zone Commander. Commanders and officers of the Southern Zone participated in the general assembly virtually.
So far, he has been enjoying the love and respect he earned from his people. The welcome is extremely warm wherever he already visited, and the excitement is high with the cities he plans to tour.
