Ethiopian National Defense Force

1876

The Army of the Ethiopian Empire was also able to defeat the Egyptians in 1876 at Gura, led by Ethiopian Emperor Yohannes IV.

1896

Fought on 1 March 1896 against the Kingdom of Italy near the town of Adwa, it was the decisive battle of the First Italo–Ethiopian War.

1899

Clapham wrote in the 1980s that the "Abyssinians suffered from a 'superiority complex' which may be traced to Gundet, Gura and Adwa". In accordance with the order of the emperor of Ethiopia, Nikolay Leontiev directly organized the first battalion of the regular Ethiopian army in February 1899.

1900

M163 Vulcan self-propelled anti-aircraft guns may have been ordered but never delivered. ===Logistics and support vehicles=== ===Aircraft=== ==See also== African military systems after 1900 DAVEC Ethiopian Air Force Ethiopian Navy ==Notes== ==References == Library of Congress Federal Research Division, Country Profile: Ethiopia, April 2005, accessed July 2012. , Second Edition. == Further reading == Adejumobi and Binega, Budgeting for the Military Sector in Africa, Ch.

1901

30 to 40 Ethiopian officers were trained in Russia from 1901 until 1913. ===Under Haile Selassie I=== Modernization of the army took place under the regency of Tafari Mekonnen, who later reigned as Emperor Haile Selassie I.

1913

30 to 40 Ethiopian officers were trained in Russia from 1901 until 1913. ===Under Haile Selassie I=== Modernization of the army took place under the regency of Tafari Mekonnen, who later reigned as Emperor Haile Selassie I.

1917

He created an Imperial Bodyguard, the Kebur Zabagna, in 1917 from the earlier Mahal Safari who had traditionally attended the Ethiopian Emperor.

1929

He also created his own military school at Holeta in January 1935. Ethiopian military aviation efforts were initiated in 1929, when Tafari Mekonnen hired two French pilots and purchased four French biplanes.

1935

He also created his own military school at Holeta in January 1935. Ethiopian military aviation efforts were initiated in 1929, when Tafari Mekonnen hired two French pilots and purchased four French biplanes.

By the time of the Italian invasion of 1935, the air force had four pilots and thirteen aircraft. However, these efforts were not sufficient nor instituted in enough time to stop the rising tide of Italian fascism.

Ethiopia was invaded and occupied by Italy during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia of 1935–36, marked for the first time Ethiopia was occupied by a foreign power.

1940

The Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of 1944 removed the BMME from the jurisdiction of East Africa Command at Nairobi and made it responsible to the Ethiopian Minister of War. Ethiopia bought twenty AH-IV tankettes from Sweden in the late 1940s.

1941

Ethiopia's patriots managed to resist and defeat the fascist Italian force after the 1941 East African Campaign of World War II with the help of British, South African and Nigerian forces.

1944

The Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement of 1944 removed the BMME from the jurisdiction of East Africa Command at Nairobi and made it responsible to the Ethiopian Minister of War. Ethiopia bought twenty AH-IV tankettes from Sweden in the late 1940s.

1950

Ethiopia reacquired a coastline on the Red Sea in 1950 and created the Ethiopian Navy in 1955.

They arrived in Djibouti on 9 May 1950 after which they were carried by rail to Addis Ababa.

1953

3,518 Ethiopian troops served in the war, of which 121 were killed and 536 wounded. On May 22, 1953, a U.S.-Ethiopian Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement was signed.

On 25 September 1953, Selassie created the Imperial Ministry of National Defense that unified the Army, Air Force, and Navy.

1955

Ethiopia reacquired a coastline on the Red Sea in 1950 and created the Ethiopian Navy in 1955.

1956

By 1956, the First Division had its headquarters at Addis Ababa (First, Second, Third Brigades, 5,300 strong); the Second Division was headquartered at Asmara, with the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Twelfth Brigades (4,500 strong); and Third Division Harar (with the Fourth, Ninth, Tenth, and Eleventh Brigades, 6,890 strong) respectively.

1959

In May 1959, the Emperor established the Imperial Territorial Army as a reserve force that provided military training to civil servants. In 1960 the U.S.

1960

In May 1959, the Emperor established the Imperial Territorial Army as a reserve force that provided military training to civil servants. In 1960 the U.S.

He became Ras, a general and minister of defense of the Imperial Ethiopian Armed Forces until his death in the 1960 Ethiopian coup attempt. Ethiopia contributed troops for the United Nations operation in the Congo – the United Nations Operation in the Congo - from July 1960.

By 20 July 1960, 3,500 troops for ONUC had arrived in the Congo.

1964

The Tekil (or “Tekel”) Brigade was stationed in Stanleyville. Aman Mikael Andom commanded the Third Division during the 1964 Ethiopian–Somali Border War.

1974

He later became chief of staff of the Armed Forces in July 1974, and then Minister of Defense.

He then became chairman of the Derg from September to December 1974. Emperor Haile Selassie divided the Ethiopian military into separate commands.

equipment deliveries to Ethiopia were 120 M59 and 39 M75 armoured personnel carriers. ==Seizure of power by the Derg 1974 and aftermath== The Coordinating Committee of the Armed Forces, Police, and Territorial Army, or the Derg (Amharic "Committee"), was officially announced 28 June 1974 by a group of military officers to maintain law and order due to the powerlessness of the civilian government following widespread mutiny in the armed forces of Ethiopia earlier that year.

In July 1974 the Derg obtained key concessions from the Emperor, Haile Selassie, which included the power to arrest not only military officers, but government officials at every level.

The Library of Congress estimated forces under arms in 1974 at 41,000.

1975

By July 1975 the International Institute for Strategic Studies was listing a mechanised division in addition to three infantry divisions.

Ayele writes that in November 1975, the "Nabalbal" ("Flame") force was created, subdivided into battalion-sized units of 400.

1977

They honed both conventional and guerrilla tactics during campaigns in Eritrea, and by repelling an invasion launched by Somalia in the 1977–1978 Ogaden War. The Ethiopian army grew considerably under the Derg (1974–1987), and the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under Mengistu (1987–1991), especially during the latter regime.

The "Nabalbal" units entered combat in 1977.

When Ethiopian intelligence sources discovered Somali planning to seize the Ogaden, militia brigades were also created; first 30, then a total of 61 brigades totalling 143,350 by 1977–78.

It appears that there were five regular line divisions active by the time of the 1977 Ogaden War, and the Library of Congress estimated the force size at the time as 53,500.

The United States was Ethiopia's major arms supplier from the end of the Second World War until 1977, when Ethiopia began receiving massive arms shipments from the Soviet Union.

1979

With significant Soviet assistance, after that point the army's size grew rapidly; in 1979 it was estimated at 65,000.

The 18th and 19th Mountain Infantry Divisions were then established in 1979-80 originally to seize Nakfa, in the Sahel Mountains, one of the remaining strongholds of the Eritrean insurgents.

1980

Clapham wrote in the 1980s that the "Abyssinians suffered from a 'superiority complex' which may be traced to Gundet, Gura and Adwa". In accordance with the order of the emperor of Ethiopia, Nikolay Leontiev directly organized the first battalion of the regular Ethiopian army in February 1899.

They were used until the 1980s when they participated in the fighting against Somalia. ===Korean War=== In keeping with the principle of collective security, for which Haile Selassie was an outspoken proponent, Ethiopia sent a contingent under General Mulugeta Buli, known as the Kagnew Battalion, to take part in the Korean War.

1981

By the beginning of 1981 recruitment for the 21st and 22nd Mountain Infantry Divisions was underway; soon afterwards, preparations for the large Operation Red Star were stepping up. In April 1988 the Derg reorganised the army.

1987

There were also the 102nd Airborne Division and 103rd Commando Divisions, which began training in January 1987. 32 tank battalions 40 artillery battalions 12 air defense battalions 8 commando brigades ===From 1991=== In 1991 Mengistu's government was overcome by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ, former EPLF), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and other opposition factions.

1988

By the beginning of 1981 recruitment for the 21st and 22nd Mountain Infantry Divisions was underway; soon afterwards, preparations for the large Operation Red Star were stepping up. In April 1988 the Derg reorganised the army.

Total manpower after the reorganisation reached a reported 388,000. In May 1988 the Derg decided that before it could concentrate on destroying the EPLF, it would have to first eliminate the TPLF.

1989

The 30th and 31st Infantry Divisions were the last formed, circa November–December 1989.

1991

This was roughly the same number maintained during the Derg regime that fell to the rebel forces in 1991.

Eritrean independence in 1991 left Ethiopia landlocked again, but the Ethiopian Navy continued to operate from foreign ports until it finally was disbanded in 1996. ==History== The Ethiopian army's origins and military traditions date back to the earliest [of Ethiopia].

There were also the 102nd Airborne Division and 103rd Commando Divisions, which began training in January 1987. 32 tank battalions 40 artillery battalions 12 air defense battalions 8 commando brigades ===From 1991=== In 1991 Mengistu's government was overcome by the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ, former EPLF), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and other opposition factions.

Ofcansky, Ethiopia: A Country Study, Library of Congress, 1991 A history of the Ethiopian Air Force (dehai-news) CIA World Factbook: Ethiopia https://www.thereporterethiopia.com/article/military-under-reform - mentions Lieutenant General Molla Hailemariam as Head of Special Operations Military of Ethiopia

1993

In 1993, however, the Tigrayan-led government announced plans to create a multi-ethnic defense force.

1996

Eritrean independence in 1991 left Ethiopia landlocked again, but the Ethiopian Navy continued to operate from foreign ports until it finally was disbanded in 1996. ==History== The Ethiopian army's origins and military traditions date back to the earliest [of Ethiopia].

Ranks and conventional units were only adopted in 1996.

1998

This transformation was still underway when war with Eritrea broke out in 1998, a development that saw the ranks of the armed forces swell along with defense expenditures. Although the armed forces have significant battlefield experience, their militia orientation has complicated the transition to a structured, integrated military.

A United States-assisted effort to restructure the armed forces was interrupted by mobilisation for the war with Eritrea. ====The Ethiopia-Eritrea war==== The former allies EPRDF and PFDJ (former EPLF) led their countries Ethiopia and Eritrea, respectively, into the Eritrean-Ethiopian War of 1998.

1999

These shipments, including armored patrol boats, transport and jet fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, trucks, missiles, artillery, and small arms have incurred an unserviced Ethiopian debt to the former Soviet Union estimated at more than $3.5 billion. Ethiopia made significant purchases of arms from Russia in late 1999 and early 2000 before the May 2000 United Nations arms embargo went into effect.

2000

Civil direction of the military is carried out through the Ministry of Defense, which oversees the ground forces, air force, as well as the Defense Industry Sector. The size of the ENDF has fluctuated significantly since the end of the Ethiopia-Eritrea war in 2000.

These officers helped turn the tide decisively against Eritrea in 2000.

These shipments, including armored patrol boats, transport and jet fighter aircraft, helicopters, tanks, trucks, missiles, artillery, and small arms have incurred an unserviced Ethiopian debt to the former Soviet Union estimated at more than $3.5 billion. Ethiopia made significant purchases of arms from Russia in late 1999 and early 2000 before the May 2000 United Nations arms embargo went into effect.

2001

Most observers agree that Ethiopia's rejection of international law, coupled with the high numbers of soldiers maintained on the border by each side – a debilitatingly high number, particularly for the Eritrean side – means that the two countries are effectively still in conflict. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the Ethiopian army began to train with the U.S.

2002

In 2002 the Ethiopian Defense Forces had a strength of approximately 250,000-350,000 troops.

2003

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1509, of 19 September 2003, to support the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the peace process, protect United Nations staff, facilities and civilians, support humanitarian and human rights activities; as well as assist in national security reform, including national police training and formation of a new, restructured military.

2005

M163 Vulcan self-propelled anti-aircraft guns may have been ordered but never delivered. ===Logistics and support vehicles=== ===Aircraft=== ==See also== African military systems after 1900 DAVEC Ethiopian Air Force Ethiopian Navy ==Notes== ==References == Library of Congress Federal Research Division, Country Profile: Ethiopia, April 2005, accessed July 2012. , Second Edition. == Further reading == Adejumobi and Binega, Budgeting for the Military Sector in Africa, Ch.

2007

However, that number was later reduced, and in January 2007, during the War in Somalia, Ethiopian forces were said to comprise about 300,000 troops.

In November 2007, nearly 1,800 Ethiopian troops serving with the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) were presented with UN Peacekeeping medals for their "invaluable contribution to the peace process." Up to three Ethiopian battalions used to constitute Sector 4 of the UN Mission, covering the southern part of the country.

2012

In 2012, the IISS estimated that the ground forces had 135,000 personnel and the air force 3,000. As of 2012, the ENDF consists of two separate branches: the Ground Forces and the Ethiopian Air Force.

M163 Vulcan self-propelled anti-aircraft guns may have been ordered but never delivered. ===Logistics and support vehicles=== ===Aircraft=== ==See also== African military systems after 1900 DAVEC Ethiopian Air Force Ethiopian Navy ==Notes== ==References == Library of Congress Federal Research Division, Country Profile: Ethiopia, April 2005, accessed July 2012. , Second Edition. == Further reading == Adejumobi and Binega, Budgeting for the Military Sector in Africa, Ch.

2014

As of 2014, the Ethiopian troops in Somalia have been integrated into the AMISOM peacekeeping force.

2018

The mission ended in 2018. Many thousands of Ethiopian peacekeepers were also involved in the hybrid United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in western Sudan.

2020

According to Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ambassador Dina Mufti, the Ethiopian military's decision to join AMISOM is intended to render the peacekeeping operation more secure. ==== Tigray War ==== During the Tigray War of 2020-2021, the ENDF has been involved in war crimes, particularly rape and other gender based violence as well as extrajudicial killings in Hagere Selam, Hitsats, Humera, Debre Abbay, and many other places.

The Darfur mission was shut down in 2020-21. Ethiopia also provides the entire force for the UN's Abyei mission, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei.




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