"Ethiopian conflict" Topic

Conflict in Ethiopia against Tigray rebels is quite interesting.

One is the use of modern drones as well as so-called quasi ballistic missiles ie re-targettable ballistic missiles ala Russian Iskander or Israeli Luna.

The rebels are managing to capture a bit of heavy equipment and are using sophisticated systems themselves.

Again the same players are appearing in terms of weapon supplies as in many other recent conflicts – Russians, Chinese, Iranians and Israelis.

All 4 players seem to benefit from having an "ask no questions" policy as well as selling cheap and effective weapons including drones and long range missiles.

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

link

Yes, very similar circumstances and outside players as the recent Armenia v. Azerbaijan conflict

Great links, but this conflict doesn't play easily into American politics and hasn't gotten RWM talking points, so don't expect much in the way of replies (vs the 100th outrage post of Milley/Afghanistan/etc.).

It is fascinating that Ethiopia is pairing Israeli, Iranian, and Chinese technology. Their initial push though, seems to have been insufficient as the TDF managed to recover and make substantial advances that seem to have the Ethiopian government on its heels. The conflict seems to have the potential to spill over into Somalia and Sudan, and both countries have mobilized forces to their borders. Ethiopia seems to be making enemies on all sides, which doesn't seem like a smart move strategically.

It is also a humanitarian crisis that the world seems to largely be ignoring.

Ethiopia Launches Major Offensive Against Tigray Forces

link

YouTube link

link

Armand

It is also a humanitarian crisis that the world seems to largely be ignoring.

Been watching on TV starving kids in many places in Africa since I was very young for decades. I'm the only one I know to agree with this observation. It seems no matter what the West does many places in Africa. They still have many problem. Problems that many Western nations, NGOs, etc., have been throwing $ and aid at for a very long time … well since after WWII … at least.

Somali was supposedly ignored by many but we see how that turned out. When the US, etc. chose to get directly involved in trying to "feed the Children". The aid was there but the local warlords, criminals, etc. were fighting over it, etc., to become more powerful, etc. The starving population … was/is not of their concern. Being in power is … period.

We saw/see we couldn't "fix" them until they want to "fix" themselves. Somalia is still unstable. As in A'stan, etc., etc. No matter how much the UN, NGOs, the West, etc. sends aid to them.

"You give a man a fish, they eat for a day. You teach him how to fish, he eats forever." … Yes that is much to simplistic in many case. But seems to me … many in those areas/regions feel they like it better if the West caters their meals, etc.

I'm a realist … no 🦄🍭🌈 in many of my concepts, etc., …

Errata :

I'm the only one I know to agree with this observation.

Should read – I'm "not" the only one …

DOH !!!!

(smile)

Armand

Ethiopia has acquired Chinese and UAE UCAVs to add to their Iranian and Israeli ones.

link

link

Meanwhile UAE is continuing to provide arms to the Ethiopian government in addition to drones.

link

The "dronification" of this war is again fascinating. In past wars Ethiopia would buy small numbers of expensive manned aircraft like Su-25s and Su-27s during a war whereas now it's large numbers of cheap expendable UCAVs.

Map of fighting:

link

Yup, it is a stark illustration on how the tools of warfare are changing. Notably, drones require far less training for operators, less maintenance, and are far cheaper than the aircraft you mentioned. I would bet that the quantity of drones is far more flexible and offers a comparable if not superior level of firepower and recon.

I do not see any reason why the KSA would not continue to provide support to the Ethiopian government on this conflict, unless they do something really foolish
and substantially worse than what they are doing now since the KSA likely views this in terms of regional stability.

Thanks arealdeadone …

Armand

it is a stark illustration on how the tools of warfare are changing.

As tech gets more "high tech" … tactics, operations, etc., will evolve, etc., to react, etc., to that new tech.

E.g. the MG, the Tank, the Aircraft, etc., …

Air Strikes Hit The Capital Of Ethiopia's Tigray Province

link

Armand