2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia

In July 2022, the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab launched an invasion from Somalia into Ethiopia's Somali Region. Following attacks on the Somali side of the border, the rebel militants initially attacked Ethiopia's Afder Zone on 21 July and occupied the town of Hulhul before being driven back by Somali Region paramilitary forces. On 25 July, the militants launched a second incursion at Ferfer which was also defeated. Further cross-border attacks continued in the following days, while Ethiopia launched counter-attacks in response. Clashes between the Somali rebels and security forces inside Ethiopia extended into early August, and at least one small al-Shabaab contingent succeeded in evading the Ethiopian force and reached its main target, the Bale Mountains.

2022 al-Shabaab invasion of Ethiopia
Part of the Ethiopian–Somali conflict, the Somali Civil War (2009–present), Ethiopian civil conflict (2018–present) and the spillover of the Tigray War
Date20 July – c. early August 2022
Location
Ethiopian-Somali border and Ethiopia's Somali Region
Result
  • Ethiopia destroys most of the invading al-Shabaab force
  • A small al-Shabaab contingent is able to reach the invasion's main target, the Bale Mountains
Belligerents

 Ethiopia

  •  Somali Region

Al-Qaeda

Commanders and leaders
Tesfaye Ayalew
Mohamed Ahmed Gurey		 Ali Diyaar
Ubeda Nur Isse (allegedly killed)
Fu'ad Mohamed (allegedly killed)
Osman Abu Abdi Rahman
Units involved

Somali Region paramilitary forces

  • Liyu police
  • Special forces
Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF)
Civilian self-defense groups		 Several units, including the "Ethiopian Front"
Strength
Unclear At least 1,500 (Critical Threats estimate)
Casualties and losses
14 killed (Ethiopian claim)
87+ killed (in Somalia only, al-Shabaab claim)
Heavy (local officials)		 800+ killed, 100 captured (Ethiopian claim)
3 civilians killed (Ethiopian claim)
Several administrators captured by al-Shabaab

The invasion was the largest attack by al-Shabaab in Ethiopian territory to date.

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