Ethiopia’s Prime Minister is reportedly planning to relocate military bases to the Ogaden region, a strategic area bordering Somalia in the eastern part of the country.
Sources from Ethiopia reveal that this move is driven by concerns over escalating threats posed by Amhara and Oromo forces to the safety of these bases.
Experts suggest that Abiy Ahmed’s decision is influenced by increasing tensions between Amhara and Oromo rebel groups, as well as internal divisions within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The Prime Minister is also addressing security challenges stemming from a controversial agreement Ethiopia signed with Somaliland to secure a maritime outlet for Addis Ababa, which has sparked widespread Somali outrage.
Dr. Abdul Rahman Badiu, Somali President’s advisor on reconciliation, told “Al Arabiya.net” that “Ethiopian forces are present along the Somali-Ethiopian border and within Somalia to prevent the infiltration of Al-Shabaab militants into Ethiopia.”
He added, “Ethiopia cannot wage war deep within southern Somalia as these areas are inhabited by Somalis. Should Ethiopia deploy forces, they would likely do so only in Somali territories near Zeila.”
Dr. Badiu further commented, “What Abiy Ahmed is doing is rotating some units in Somalia with others, creating the appearance of a threat to unify Ethiopians.”
Ethiopia has been experiencing violent unrest since April, leading to the displacement of over 50,000 people from their homes in the northern part of the country, according to the United Nations.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the number of displaced individuals due to clashes in Alamata and Raya Alamata since April 13 has surpassed 50,000.
These areas lie within the disputed zone between the Tigray and Amhara regions.
Amhara officials have accused TPLF-aligned fighters of launching attacks, while Tigray leaders claim that Amhara militias initiated the violence.
