In recent times, corresponding to historical conflicts like the Ogaden War (1977-1978) or a military operation of Ethiopia in Somalinland in 2006, any military interventions or hostilities in between these two countries, Ethiopia and Somalia, cannot be compared. Nevertheless, hostilities and military activities between the two nations have continued to exist in varying forms, especially with respect to most issues, including security, counterterrorism, and regional competition. A number of current developments that add to these tensions or active hostility include:
- Ethiopian Military Operations Against Al-Shabaab in Somalia (2020s)
Ethiopia has continued to be involved in military operations in Somalia, principally, directed against Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group operating in the southern and central regions of Somalia but which also at times poses a security threat to Ethiopia.
Cross-border Operations: Ethiopia has from time to time carried out military activities on Somali territory in order to deal with Al-Shabaab, particularly in Somali inhabiting border areas. These operations are normally considered as providing the necessary conditions for regional peace but have raised issues of sovereignty and occupation of Somalia by foreign troops.
Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF) and AMISOM: Ethiopia, as part of the African Union Mission in Somalia, has also sent forces to assist the Somali government and international community in the fight against Al-Shabaab. Although the enlisting of the Ethiopian military in most instances is in the context of a peace support operation, such action is often interpreted within the framework of the regional politics aimed at securing and defending Ethiopia’s interests.
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Despite the fact that military activities have subsided in Ogaden, and this region is no longer at the center of hostilities, the ethnic Somalis inhabiting Ethiopian Somali Region (Ogaden) tend to fuel friction between the two nations. The Ogaden National Lib
- Geopolitical Strains Relating to the Ogaden Region
Even if the Ogaden region has ceased to be the battleground of military confrontation, the ethnic Somali community in the Somali Region of Ethiopia (Ogaden) still contributes to the friction between the two states. Ethnic tensions driven by the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) activity can be observed to have an effect on the two counterparts.
Somalia – ONLF Relations and After: While the ONLF has been largely subdued in recent years, its members have sometimes been reported to operate from bases in Somalia, which can escalate tensions between the two governments. Many times Ethiopia blamed Somalia for their support or sheltering of such groups, although most of the time Somali government loathed them.
- Disputes Over Territorial Lines
At this moment there are no major military clashes over the border and however the matter of herding between the borders of Ethiopia and Somalia with particular attention on the Somali Region of Ethiopia and the Jubaland area of Southern Somalia still remains a very delicate one among the people in both countries. From time to time, these border disputes boil over and each country claims that the other is illegally occupying a portion of its territory.
Security Threats for Somali and Ethiopian National Borders: Both countries are also mindful of possibility of insurgent groups such as Al-Shabaab and ONLF elements being active in the bordering regions. The presence of these groups and their attempts to carry out cross border raids or attacks may provoke reprisals, which can be interpreted as hostile acts by either party.
- Humanitarian Concern and Problems of Refugees
Inter-generationally, the factors keep on generating huge amounts of pressure people from the country especially the increased cases of droughts, violence and conflicts which have become rampant in the regions. There are great numbers of somalis in the country as refugees and the concerns around this are both border control as well as the giviung concern of the refugees.
In the course of the past years however, there has been no full scale military confrontation or outright warfare between Ethiopia and Somalia reminiscent of the previous wars such as the Ogaden War (1977-1978) or the Ethiopian intervention in Somalia in 2006 for that matter. Nevertheless, rubs and skirmishes between the two have been experienced to varying degrees most especially in regards to security concerns, efforts to fight terror and competition in the neighborhood. A few of the contemporary causes of tensions or even war including:
- Military Operations Conducted by Ethiopia Against Al-Shabaab in Somalia (2010s)
Ethiopia has been engaged in active military operations within Somalia over the years, mainly directed at the group Al-Shabaab whose sphere of influence is in the southern and central parts of the country while at times posing a threat to Ethiopia`s safety.
Cross-border Operations: Military actions have been undertaken by the country within the confines of Somalia, particularly in the regions of the country that adjoin Ethiopia, to address the Al-Shabaab menace, although such actions have been taking place in such areas. This is usually accompanied by the need for protection of the region and its peoples which has generated the uncomfortable issue of foreign occupation in Somalia.
Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF) and the Troops of AMISOM: Troops have also been deployed by Ethiopia in the context of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to provide military assistance to the Somali government in its fight against Al-Shabaab. Although the military operations conducted by Ethiopia, are usually on behalf of collective security operations, they are most often perceived as efforts NOT to promote security but to enforce one’s authority over the region.
- Contentious Issues Over the Ogaden Region
Despite the fact that the Ogaden territory is not the epicenter of military engagement still, It is their very youth that manages to stand in a very hostile relation with each other even while residing in the Ethiopian Somali Region (Ogaden) where the… Ogaden National Libration front
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Currently, there is no war between Ethiopia and Somalia but geographical proximity and historical insecurity, border issues and wider Horn of Africa geopolitics affect the relationship. Hence, Ethiopia’s deployment of troops in Somalia particularly against Al-Shabaab creates friction plus any efforts that are aimed at supporting opposing actions in Somalia, even for the purpose of counterterrorism, is interpreted as an invasion by Somalia. Nevertheless, the overt and covert security cooperation and diplomatic initiatives indicate that the two countries are more interested in dealing with regional threats than going to war with each other.
