Ethiopian rebels claim responsibility for oil field attack

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi

Meanwhile, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi ordered immediate reinforcements, including helicopters, to the area. Saddened by the attack, the prime minister pledged to bring those responsible to justice as soon as possible.

The attack also drew strong condemnation from the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, terming the attack an utterly terrorist action.

In a statement, the ministry said the attack came in an attempt to disrupt the country's development activities and discourage foreigners from investing in the country.

In April 2006, the ONLF warned all foreign companies in Ethiopia against continuing their operations in the country.

The ONLF, established in 1984, has launched military activities in eastern Ethiopia and southern Somalia since the early 1990s, claiming to be fighting for the Ogaden region's independence.

The Ogaden region, with the Somali state included, is inhabited solely by Somalis, the same ethnic people that inhabit neighboring Somalia.

Editor:Du Xiaodan