Ethiopian rebels claim responsibility for oil field attack

Source: Xinhuanet | 04-25-2007 13:38

ADDIS ABABA, April 24 (Xinhua) -- The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) claimed responsibility on Tuesday for attacking an oil exploration field in the eastern Somali state.

"The oil facility has been completely destroyed," the ONLF said in a statement.

The claim came shortly after the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia confirmed a group of gunmen attacked a Chinese oil company's premises, killing nine Chinese workers and kidnapping another seven.

Sixty-five Ethiopian employees, working for the Zhongyuan Petroleum Exploration Bureau under the China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, were also killed during the attack.

"The ONLF has stated on numerous occasions that we will not allow the mineral resources of our people to be exploited by this regime or any firm," the statement said, without giving more details.

About 200 gunmen launched a sudden attack at around 6 a.m. local time on Tuesday on the company's premises in Abole, a small town about 120 km from the state capital Jijiga.

The gunmen briefly took control of the premises with 37 Chinese workers and more than 120 Ethiopian employees after an exchange of fire with over 100 soldiers protecting the field. The shootout lasted for about 50 minutes.

The Chinese embassy has formed an emergency team maintaining close contact with the Ethiopian government and military, Chinese Charge d'Affaires Zhang Yuebang said.

Xu Shuang, the company's acting manager, told Xinhua that the company had chartered an airplane in China to bring the bodies of the nine Chinese workers back home.

Ethiopian troops have recovered the company's premises, added Xu.