Somaliland: Thousands of ethiopian troops deployed along Somaliland border
The Ethiopian Federal military is preparing an action plan in the event of an attack following the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The force is deploying ground troops on number of fronts.
Thousands troops backed by heavy artillery are massing up on the country’s border with Somaliland. According to eyewitnesses more than 4,000 soldiers crossed into Jigjiga on Tuesday and are said to be heading to the border.
The news of the build-up has prompted Somaliland to respond and spread its own forces along the long common-border. Local reports indicate that they have been placed on high alert with fears rebels might try to destabilise the region.
The death of one of Africa’s most powerful and divisive leaders has fomented security fears in the Horn of African nation. Meles, 57, has ruled Africa’s second most populous country with an iron-fist for over two decades.
Ethiopia fears its ethnic-based federations might disintegrate with the absence of a strong man like Meles Zenawi. The current deployment is designed to prevent the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), operating in the Somali Region, to take advantage of the situation.