AINAN SOUGUEH

🚨 Over 123 ENDF soldiers killed, 160 wounded and 37 captured as Fano overruns fortified ENDF trenches in Wuchale amid Su-27, MiG-29 fighter jet and drone strikes The fighting in Wuchale left at least 123 ENDF soldiers killed, including a senior military commander and a police commander, 160 wounded and 37 captured as ENDF POWs. Fano units from the Menelik 1st Command’s 13th Corps, 14th Corps and Special Operations units captured Wuchale Town and held it for three days, while elements of the 102nd Corps ambushed ENDF reinforcements advancing from Woldiya and Mersa. The engagements also resulted in the destruction of one ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, the seizure of numerous individual and crew-served weapons, and the capture of more than five fortified ENDF positions. During the fighting, the Ethiopian Air Force deployed a Su-27 fighter jet, a MiG-29 fighter aircraft, two unmanned aerial vehicles and more than five loitering munitions, alongside mechanized ground forces and heavy artillery. Abiy regime forces carried out repeated jet and drone strikes against Wuchale, causing civilian casualties and damaging residential homes. After holding the town for three days, Fano forces withdrew to positions outside Wuchale to prevent further civilian casualties from the aerial bombardment, while continuing engagements against ENDF forces in the surrounding areas. Fighting around Wuchale remains ongoing.