Western Somali Liberation Front
Quick Summary
The Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) was an organization that played a significant role in the history of Somalia and the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Formed with the goal of liberating Somali populations in the Ogaden, the WSLF received support from Somalia, particularly under President Maxamed Siyaad Barre.12
In 1977, the WSLF, alongside the Somali army, launched an invasion of the Ogaden region, which was then part of Ethiopia. This conflict led to significant geopolitical shifts, with the Soviet Union redirecting its support from Somalia to Ethiopia. By March 1978, Ethiopian forces, aided by Cuba and the Soviet Union, had driven the Somali army out of the Ogaden, resulting in a large influx of Somali refugees into Somalia. The WSLF continued to engage in guerrilla tactics against Ethiopian rule in the Ogaden.13
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
eastern AfricaWar in the Ogaden…and 15,000 fighters of the Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF). His forces began infiltrating into the Ogaden in May–June 1977, and overt warfare began in July. By September 1977 Mogadishu controlled 90 percent of the Ogaden and had followed retreating Ethiopian forces into non-Somali regions of Harerge, Bale, and Sidamo.
Read More…and 15,000 fighters of the Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF). His forces began infiltrating into the Ogaden in May–June 1977, and overt warfare began in July. By September 1977 Mogadishu controlled 90 percent of the Ogaden and had followed retreating Ethiopian forces into non-Somali regions of Harerge, Bale, and Sidamo.
Read More
SomaliaThe era of Scientific Socialism…and guerrilla fighters of the Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) in the Ogaden pressed Siad (whose mother was an Ogaadeen) for support. When in June 1977 France granted independence to Djibouti (under a Somali president), the WSLF, backed by Somalia, immediately launched a series of fierce attacks on Ethiopian garrisons.…
Read More…and guerrilla fighters of the Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) in the Ogaden pressed Siad (whose mother was an Ogaadeen) for support. When in June 1977 France granted independence to Djibouti (under a Somali president), the WSLF, backed by Somalia, immediately launched a series of fierce attacks on Ethiopian garrisons.…
Read More