Outbreak of the Ogaden War

The Ogaden War emerged from the Somali government's ambition to unify the Somali-inhabited Ogaden region of Ethiopia into a Greater Somalia. This conflict began with a military offensive that saw Somali forces rapidly advance, capturing significant portions of the Ogaden, including key cities like Jijiga. By the early stages of the war, Somali troops had gained control over approximately 90% of the region, marking a series of victories against the Ethiopian army. However, the situation shifted dramatically with the intervention of external forces. The Ethiopian Derg regime received substantial military support from the Soviet Union, which included the deployment of around 20,000 Cuban troops and numerous Soviet military advisors. This intervention played a crucial role in reversing the fortunes of the Somali military, leading to their eventual withdrawal from the Ogaden region by the following year. The war not only highlighted the complexities of regional politics but also underscored the impact of foreign involvement in local conflicts, shaping the geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa for years to come.