Military Update No: 2023-12-26

Previous: Military Update No: 2023-08-27  This report summarizes engagements between the OLA and the regime's military forces during the months of September and November. Please note that this report is not exhaustive.

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September 10

• West Shawa, Dirre Inchini District: In a locality known as Kamsi Bilo, our forces engaged regime troops, resulting in 20 enemy casualties and over 15 injuries. We captured 22 AKM rifles and a variety of other arms.

September 11

• Southern Oromia, Miyo District: An OLA commando unit executed a precise operation against a gathering of regime military officers, neutralizing 2 lieutenants.

September 12

• Southwest Shawa (Multiple Districts): Our forces conducted comprehensive operations across four districts:

• In Tulu Bolo town, Bacho District, we inflicted 25 casualties and 16 injuries on the enemy, seizing 80 AKM rifles, a Bren gun, and ammunition. Additionally, all political prisoners in the town’s torture camp were liberated.

• In Saden Sodo District, we reported 39 enemy casualties, 18 injuries, and captured 102 AKM rifles, freeing political prisoners from the district police station.

• In Taji Town, Ilu District, 6 enemy fighters were neutralized and 2 injured, with 12 AKM rifles captured.

• In Abebe town, Tole district, we reported 2 enemy casualties.

October 11

• North Shawa, Dara District: A counter to an attempted offensive by regime forces led to over 100 enemy casualties. We captured 75 AKM rifles, 1 DshKA, and 3 Bren guns.

• West Shawa, Ada Barga District: Our interception of a regime contingent resulted in over 80 enemy casualties and 32 captures. We seized 53 AKM rifles, 3 Bren guns, 2 sniper rifles, and other assorted weapons.

October 14

• North Shawa, Warra Jarso District: In Tulu Milki town, our forces engaged regime troops, causing 62 enemy casualties and capturing 13. We secured 52 AKM rifles.

October 19

• North Shawa, Garba Guracha District: Engagement with regime’s military resulted in at least 50 regime fighters killed, over 67 injured.

• North Shawa, Warra Jarso District: Action against a regime military patrol resulted in 6 regime fighters killed, 9 injured.

• West Shawa, Ada Barga District: In Jimata and Boro towns, simultaneous operations against regime fighters resulted in 49 regime fighters killed.

• West Shawa, Shukute Town, Jaldu District: Engagement with regime’s military resulted in 22 regime fighters killed.

October 26

• West Guji, Galan District: Intercepting a regime military patrol, our forces neutralized 24 enemy fighters.

October 27

• West Walaga, Nole Kaba District: An assault on a regime military camp resulted in 75 enemy casualties, 98 injuries, and 13 captures.

October 31

• West Walaga, Gimbi District: In the Tubi area, our forces engaged regime troops, causing 17 enemy casualties and at least 28 injuries.

November 11th

• West Guji, Dugda Dawa District: In Laga Qawe, OLA forces successfully intercepted a regime military advance. The engagement resulted in 35 regime fighters being killed and 1 regime military officer (Lieutenant Tahir Hussein) being captured. (VIDEO BELOW)

Lieutenant Tahir Hussein of the ENDF being treated by OLA medics after capture (November 11th, 2023)

November 12th

• West Bale, Goba District: OLA forces intercepted a regime military patrol. The operation led to over 20 regime fighters being killed.

November 13th

• Southwest Shawa, Tole District: A regime military patrol was intercepted by OLA forces, resulting in 8 regime fighters being killed.

• West Arsi, Heban District: OLA forces conducted a targeted operation against the regime military camp in Shopa Bultum as they were preparing an offensive against OLA positions. The action resulted in 9 regime fighters being killed.

November 16th

• East Arsi, Marti District: OLA forces intercepted a regime military convoy advancing on OLA positions near Adama city. The engagement resulted in 23 regime fighters being killed and 11 being injured.

• Bunno Bedele, Mako District: OLA forces routed an offensive launched by the regime. In the ensuing counter-offensive, the OLA captured the town of Mako. This operation resulted in 46 regime fighters being killed, at least 67 being injured, and 12 being captured.

November 18th

• East Arsi, Hetosa District: OLA forces intercepted a regime military convoy advancing on OLA positions. The engagement resulted in 15 regime fighters being killed and 20 being injured.

November 19th

• East Shawa, Bosat District: OLA forces effectively routed a regime military advance, resulting in over 40 regime fighters being killed.

• Bunno Bedele, Dabo District: In a similar operation, OLA forces routed a regime military advance in Dabo District, resulting in 27 regime fighters being killed.

November 20th

• North Shawa, Hambiso town, Dagam District: OLA forces routed a regime advance and launched a counter-offensive on Hambiso town from where the regime forces were deployed. This operation resulted in the freeing over 100 political prisoners and the capture of over 160 AKM rifles. (PICTURE BELOW)

• Borana, Moyale town, Moyale District: In the Bole neighborhood of Moyale town, OLA forces took action against a regime military camp. The operation resulted in 6 regime fighters being killed and at least 10 being injured.

November 23rd

• East Arsi, Sirka District: OLA forces engaged a regime military patrol, resulting in 18 regime fighters killed and at least 25 injured. (PICTURE BELOW)

Weapons captured in Sirka district (November 23rd, 2023)

November 24th

• West Guji, Bule Hora District: An operation against a regime military patrol led to 16 regime fighters being killed and at least 9 injured.

• Arsi, Marti District: An engagement at Wataro Dino with a regime military convoy led to two regime military officers being neutralized. A large amount of ammunition and medical supplies were captured.

Ammunition and medical supplies captured in Marti district on November 24th, 2023

November 25th

• Bale, Barbare District: OLA forces took action against a regime military patrol, resulting in 3 regime fighters being killed and at least 5 injured.

• Guji, Saba Boru District: An assault on a regime military camp resulted in 24 regime fighters killed, over 32 injured, and 8 captured. Captures included various rifles, including 11 AK-101s, over 7000 AKM rounds, and over 4000 Bren rounds.

November 27th

• West Shawa, Ada Barga District: An operation against the regime military resulted in over 50 regime fighters being killed and at least 21 injured. Captures included 6 regime fighters (including two lieutenants), 1 Mortar, 1 DshK, 20 AKM rifles, 3 PKM, 2 Dragunov sniper rifles, 12 mortar shells, and various types of ammunition. (PICTURE BELOW)

• West Shawa, Jaldu District: Action against a regime military convoy near Osole town resulted in over 30 regime fighters killed (including 5 officers) and 16 captured.

Regime fighters and weaponry captured in Ada Barga district (November 27th, 2023)

Regime fighters and weaponry captured in Ada Barga district (November 27th, 2023)

November 29th

• West Walaga, Aira District: In Bondawo town, engagement with regime fighters led to 16 being killed, at least 21 injured, and 2 captured. Captures included 10 AKM rifles.

• West Walaga, Guliso District: An operation against a regime military patrol deployed from Dila town resulted in 9 regime fighters being killed and 14 injured.

December 2nd

• West Hararghe, Chiro District: OLA forces engaged a regime military convoy traveling through Hero locality. This action resulted in over 20 regime fighters being killed and at least 13 injured.

December 5th

• East Walaga, Sasiga District: In the Balo Bareda locality, OLA forces conducted an operation against regime fighters, resulting in over 80 regime fighters being killed, 43 injured, and 7 captured. Additionally, 64 AKM rifles and over 4000 AKM rounds were seized.

December 7th

• West Bale, Dinsho District: OLA forces engaged a regime military convoy, resulting in over 20 regime fighters being killed. The operation also led to the capture of 8 AKM rifles and an assortment of other rifles.

Weapons captured in Dinsho district (December 7th, 2023)

December 8th

• West Shewa, Ada Barga District: In Inchini town, OLA forces undertook an operation against regime military forces, which resulted in the liberation of over 170 political prisoners. The operation also secured 102 AKM rifles and 24 rifles of various types. (PICTURE BELOW)

December 9th

• Kelem Walaga, Anfilo District: OLA forces conducted an operation against a regime military convoy in Waba Eba locality.

• East Arsi, Asako District: Action against a regime military patrol led to over 20 regime fighters being killed and at least 43 injured.

December 19th

• East Guji, Goro Dola District: In an operation against a regime military camp, OLA forces inflicted significant losses with over 120 regime fighters killed, over 100 injured, and 31 captured. The operation also resulted in the capture of 54 AKM rifles, 2 Bren guns, 1 Dragunov sniper rifle, and 1 DshK. (PICTURE AND VIDEO BELOW)

Regime fighters and weaponry captured in Goro Dola district on December 19th, 2023

December 23rd

• Arsi, Marti District: Engagement with a regime military patrol resulted in 15 regime fighters being killed and at least 20 injured.

December 24th

• Kelem Walaga, Gawo Qebe District: OLA forces undertook action against a regime military convoy, resulting in 45 regime fighters being killed and 8 captured. Captured equipment included 18 AKM rifles, 1326 AKM bullets, and 1 DshK.

• East Shawa: Coordinated operations in eight cities/districts of East Shawa:

• In Dukam Town, action against regime forces in two camps resulted in 47 regime fighters killed, 86 severely injured, and the destruction of 2 regime military vehicles. A substantial quantity of AKM ammunition was also captured.

• In Mojo Town, OLA forces engaged regime forces, resulting in 12 regime fighters killed and 6 injured.

• In Abusera District, an assault on a regime military camp led to 4 regime fighters killed and 17 critically wounded.

• In Liban Chukala District, regime military camps in Handho, Adulala, and Wambara were cleared, inflicting heavy casualties on regime forces.

• Operations in Maki Town and Bote Town involved engagements with regime military forces, leading to heavy casualties, including neutralizing a high-ranking officer known as "Commissioner Shimeles".

December 26th

• Horo Guduru, Kombolcha District: An extensive operation against the regime military contingent in the area resulted in 126 regime soldiers being killed, approximately 159 wounded, and over 32 captured. The operation also led to the seizure of significant military equipment, including 2 mortars, 40 mortar shells, 5 DShK heavy machine guns, 10 Bren guns, more than 6000 AKM bullets, and 128 AKM rifles (VIDEO BELOW)

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Summary

In the months preceding the pivotal negotiations of mid-November, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) conducted a series of high-intensity operations that significantly disrupted the regime's military structure in Oromia, leading to widespread defections and desertions. Due to this, there was reason to believe that the regime had accepted the reality that its military could not succeed in securing Abiy's hegemony over Oromia. Demonstrating a gesture of goodwill, our leadership made the historic decision to participate in the negotiations in person. Contrary to expectations, the regime deceitfully initiated a surprise offensive against OLA positions across all operational zones during the negotiations, mistakenly assuming that our forces would be weakened by the absence of their leaders. This miscalculated move by the regime failed to yield any gains, territorial or otherwise, underscoring the resilience and preparedness of our forces.

Post-negotiations, which concluded without an agreement, witnessed the resumption of high-intensity OLA operations. These operations have inflicted substantial casualties on regime forces, including around the capital city's environs. The regime, facing a deteriorating military structure, increasingly relies on its special forces, including the Republican Guard, heavy weaponry like ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns, and advanced drones sourced from Turkey.

Furthermore, there has been a significant increase in desertions from the regime's military to the OLA, a trend that gained momentum following the onset of the conflict in the Amhara region and further escalated after the failed negotiations.

Amid these developments, the regime's tactics have, as expected, been to intensify its violence against civilians. Reports of daily executions and indiscriminate targeting under the guise of suppressing OLA support are deeply troubling, constituting serious human rights violations. This brutal strategy exposes the regime's desperation and flagrant disregard for basic human rights and international law.

In light of these challenges, the OLA reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of the Oromo people. Our determination remains steadfast in the face of the regime's cruelty. We urge the international community to acknowledge and address the mounting humanitarian crisis resulting from the regime's oppressive actions. The OLA continues to stand strong in its quest for justice and freedom for our people, driven by values of dignity and liberty. We remain vigilant, adaptive, and resolute in our cause, navigating the complexities of this conflict with determination and resolve.