Djibouti’s drone strike near the Ethiopian border resulted in the deaths of eight individuals linked to the Armed Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy, a group deemed terrorist by the Djiboutian government. The attack sparked controversy regarding the strike’s location and raised concerns about civilian casualties. This incident forms part of Djibouti’s ongoing efforts to counter militant threats amid complex regional dynamics.
Djibouti’s security forces conducted a drone strike near the Ethiopian border, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals labeled as members of a terrorist organization. The defense ministry reported the attack occurred in Addorta, a Djiboutian locality approximately six kilometers from the border with Ethiopia. While the ministry confirmed the killing of “eight terrorists,” it also acknowledged suffering among local civilians, albeit without specifying the scale of the collateral damage.
Alexis Mohamed, an adviser to President Ismael Omar Guelleh, verified that the targeted militants belonged to the Armed Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUDA), which Djibouti designates as a terrorist group. The government associates this group with previous violent actions that represent significant threats to national security. The Ethiopian newspaper Addis Standard contended that the drone strike took place within Ethiopian territory; however, Mohamed reiterated that it occurred within Djibouti’s borders.
Djiboutian officials did not respond to inquiries from VOA Somali seeking further details on the incident. This attack follows a previous incident in October 2022, where an assault on military barracks resulted in the death of seven soldiers and the abduction of six others, which officials attributed to FRUD, the political faction related to FRUDA. The abducted personnel were eventually released weeks later.
FRUD emerged in 1991 from the Afar community in northern Djibouti, initially launching an insurgency against the government while advocating for Afar interests against the Issas, the predominant ethnic group. Although the group later allied with a coalition supporting President Guelleh, its armed division, FRUDA, continues to engage in hostilities against the state. Djibouti, strategically situated by the Bab El Mandeb Strait, hosts military bases from several nations, including the United States and China, due to its location on vital shipping lanes.
This incident transpired shortly after U.S. airstrikes targeted Islamic State operatives in neighboring Somalia. Such military actions reflect ongoing regional counter-terrorism efforts targeting militant groups that threaten stability in the Horn of Africa.
Djibouti has a complex security landscape characterized by ongoing tensions with the Armed Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy (FRUDA), a group with historical grievances against the government. The region’s ethnic dynamics, particularly between the Afar and Issa groups, contribute to persistent instability. Military actions, including drone strikes, are part of Djibouti’s strategy to counter terrorism and safeguard its national interests amidst the presence of foreign military forces in the area.
In summary, the recent drone strike by Djibouti’s security forces near the Ethiopian border highlights the ongoing conflict with the FRUDA group, which the government considers a terrorist threat. The incident raises concerns about civilian casualties and territorial disputes with Ethiopia. Given Djibouti’s strategic military significance in the region, these developments underscore the need for effective responses to threats posed by militant factions and the importance of regional security cooperation.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
