Siege of Barentu

The siege of Barentu took place in 1977 in and around the town of Barentu in western Eritrea. It was jointly laid to siege by the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) and the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) against the forces of Ethiopia. This was a decisive battle during the Eritrean War of Independence and marked the beginning of Soviet involvement in the conflict.

Siege of Barentu
Part of the Eritrean War of Independence
Date1977
Location
Barentu, Eritrea
Result Ethiopian victory
Belligerents
EPLF
ELF		 Ethiopia
 Soviet Union
(air support)
Commanders and leaders
Isaias Afewerki
Petros Solomon
Sebhat Ephrem		 Merid Negussie
Casualties and losses
At least 400 Minimal

The battle

The town of Barentu was defended by a large garrison of Ethiopian troops. The garrison had constructed numerous fortifications to improve the defensibility of the town. Furthermore, a local Kunama militia had been raised to support the Ethiopian troops. Of most significance in this battle however, was the decision by Soviet military advisers to commit to direct involvement.[1]

During the siege of Barentu, the Soviet planners used their air superiority to their advantage by using close air support. This close air support inflicted heavy casualties on the forces of the ELF and EPLF who were conducting their first major joint operation. The failure of this joint operation would have significant consequences later in the war of independence.

According to reports, fighting between the ELF and EPLF also happened, and caused around 400 casualties.[2]

The failure of the siege and the heavy losses incurred by both the ELF and EPLF forces in this battle, as well as the failure at the First Battle of Massawa, led to the strategic withdrawal of rebel forces.

References
  1. "From the Experiences of the Eritrean Liberation Army (ELA)". Archived from the original on 2009-09-26. Retrieved 2006-12-28.
  2. AF Press Clips. Bureau of African Affairs, Department of State, U.S.A. May 1978.

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