Somalia claims Ethiopians repulsed in an invasion

August 29, 1980

Somalia says it has repulsed invading Ethiopian troops in a daylong battle in the northwestern part of the country, inflicting heavy losses. It says the Ethiopians launched a land and air invasion against the northwestern region of Somalia along a 30-mile front early Wednesday.

The Ethiopian Embassy here denied the Somalia reports as "without foundation" and "designed to cover up Somalia's aggression recently committed against Ethiopian territory." It alleged the invasion report was aimed to push Washington to accelerate arms deliveries to Somalia.