Defeated 1978 coup plotters formed the SSDF insurgency from Ethiopia

Evidence

These many diffuse currents of discontent assumed a more organised form through two main political movements based primarily on the clans in the central and northern (ex-British) regions of the Republic. Those mainly Mudugh-based Majerteyn clansmen associated with the unsuccessful attempted coup of 1978 had by late 1981 formed the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF), a guerrilla organisation which transferred its operational head-quarters to Ethiopia in the following year and set up a powerful radio transmitter (‘Radio Kulmis’ – later called ‘Radio Halgan’). In June of that year, with military support, SSDF forces pushed across the Ethiopian border and seized control of a small area inside Somalia, claiming in their broadcasts that a national uprising was under way against the Siyad regime. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 598 (#expands, via linked claim)

Meanwhile, in the newly subjected Sultanate of Obbia a daring rising had occurred at El Bur, led by a Majerteyn clansman called ‘Omar Samatar. After gaining control of the police armoury and murdering the Italian Resident, the leading insurgents crossed the border into Ethiopia, where, according to Italian reports, they proceeded to campaign against Italian infiltration in the Ogaden and to prepare attacks on Italian border posts. But apart from this, in the circumstances of the power of reprisal wielded by the Italian authorities, the rising left little tangible trace in the colony itself. — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 281 (#exemplifies, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The 1978 coup’s Majerteyn clansmen founded the SSDF in Ethiopia — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 598; ‘Omar Samatar led an El Bur rising that fled into Ethiopia — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 281

Related

• The 1978 coup’s Majerteyn clansmen founded the SSDF in Ethiopia (similarity 0.92)
• ‘Omar Samatar led an El Bur rising that fled into Ethiopia (similarity 0.85)
• The Ogaden defeat’s divisive forces corroded Somalia’s political stability (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• The 1978 coup’s Majerteyn clansmen founded the SSDF in Ethiopia #expands (0.95) — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 598
• ‘Omar Samatar led an El Bur rising that fled into Ethiopia #exemplifies (0.70) — I.M. Lewis, I. M. Lewis, A Modern History of the Somali_ Nation…, 281