Western Somali Liberation Front

Somali guerrilla activity in the Ogaden and in the Haud area east of Harar flared sporadically after Somalia gained its independence in 1960, but the guerrilla activity remained essentially a police concern until a border war erupted in 1964. When he seized power in Mogadishu in 1969, Siad Barre thwarted attempts at an understanding between Ethiopia and Somalia. He pledged to renew efforts to establish a "Greater Somalia" that would encompass about one-third of Ethiopia's territory. Encouraged by the breakdown of authority in Addis Ababa after the 1974 overthrow of Haile Selassie, Somalia provided equipment, moral, and organizational support to insurgent movements in the Ogaden and southern Ethiopia.

The Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF), was created by a young captain called Yusuf Dheere Mohamed Sugaal (Yuusuf the tall man) who was educated and trained in Syria, after finishing high school in Hargaysa. On his return from Syria, Yusuf Dheere has created the “Ururka dhalinyara soomaali galbeed” or the Western Somali Youth Organisation. Which become a very active and effective organisation internally and externally, Yusuf Dheere who was well connected and from a noble family who always fought for the rights of all Somalis, met the Somali president Siad Barre in 1973 after putting the Somali elders behind his plan, he presented his ideas, after long conversation and debate the president was so amazed by this young man who was so eager to do something about the Ogaden region. Since things were changing and the president has made already an earlier promise to the people, he knew if he does not support Yusuf dheere and their plan, he will be blamed any way for any attack and will lose the support of the people. So, after explaining his reasons, the president gave Yusuf dheere 2 years to give diplomacy a chance (which they already knew will not bring anything) and preparation of the army as the Somali national army was so young. In the meanwhile, Yusuf dheere was told to recruit about 1500(voluntary based) and was permitted ration for only 1500 people, in space of a month, he recruited 3000+ soldier, most of them were member of the old fighter from all over the country. After the two years since the initial meeting, and after going through the UN and un-successful peace meeting with Haile Selassie, Yusuf Dheere was given the go ahead he wanted and was told to get hold on to at least 60% of the ogaden region before the Somali army gets involved. They were in luck when Mengistu Haile Mariam overthrow Haile Selassie and switched from the American support to the Soviet Union.The success of the WSLF was that it supported the "Greater Somalia" concept. The Somali Abo Liberation Front (SALF) maintained links to the WSLF. Its sphere of operations was in the provinces of Bale, Sidamo, and Arsi, where it advocated union with Somalia or the creation of an independent state. Somalia equipped both groups with Soviet armsthe gorilla movement along (Later on) with the Somali army, both also received aid and training from various Arab and socialist states, including Cuba.

In 1977-78 Ogaden War, Against all odds, the WSLF has captured the Ogaden region (Soomaali Galbeed=Western Somalia in Somali language), it was the first time since the 2nd world war that all Somalia was united with the exception of the NFD region and it is till now the most joyful moment of the people of western Somalia (Ogadenia). The Ethiopian army was so large, the Somalis were outnumbered at least 3 to 1, however, the Somali army had much more air-superiority then the Ethiopians and were much better equipped. however after the massive Soviet-support stopped and America did not accept the military support that Somali has requested, the WSLF was forced later to retreat to camps in Somalia proper after a massive Soviet-supported and Cuban-armed Ethiopian and Cubans soldiers pushed back the WSLF and SNA .

The Somali government subsequently forbade the WSLF and its leaders to use its territory to launch attacks into Ethiopia. By 1989 the WSLF had ceased to be an effective guerrilla organization within Ethiopia. Siad Barre's decision to restrict the WSLF led the exile of Yusuf dheere in 1989 and to the formation of a WSLF splinter group, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), whose headquarters were in Kuwait. Elements of the ONLF slipped back into the Ogaden in 1988 and where they still operate. however not every one was happy with the ONLF because of its name (Ogaden rather than Somali), therefor many of the origin WSLF supporters have recently formed the UWSLF (United Western Somali Front) which also includes some of the ONLF members.Since 77/78 WSLF Ogaden war, it is back in the international media attention, Following a major attack on a Chinese-operated oil field in Dhegeh-bur district of Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State or region 5 (kililka 5aad) by the ONLF.the Ethiopian military undertook major insurgency operations in the region’s Ogaden region, Reports about attacks on civilians, collective punishments, abuses of food aid and intimidation of the local population by both parties to the conflict as well as a trade blockade imposed in different localities by Ethiopian security forces have raised concerns about a looming humanitarian crisis. Developments on the ground have been accompanied by a plethora of allegations and counter-allegations voiced on cyberspace and in other media outlets. ONLF blames Ethiopia for the use of violence and its army of committing ‘war crimes’ against the civilian population. the former WSLF leaders are either death or still on exile but the fight for freedom and independents still carries on.

Source: U.S. Library of Congress