The Ogaden War began when Somalia under Siad Barre invaded the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, inhabited mostly by ethnic Somalis, aiming to unite Somali-inhabited territories into a Greater Somalia. The attack took advantage of Ethiopia's turmoil after the revolution that overthrew Haile Selassie. The Cold War alliances were reshaped: the Soviet Union, which had backed Somalia, switched to supporting Ethiopia's military government, the Derg, and sent arms and advisers, while Cuba sent thousands of troops. By early 1978 Ethiopia had retaken the region, and Somalia withdrew. The defeat weakened Siad Barre's regime, and the region remains a source of tension and refugees.
Before and after
- 19 May 1977Birth of Natalia Oreiro
- 18 June 1977Birth of Kaja Kallas
- 19 June 1977Release of The Rescuers
- 2 July 1977Death of Vladimir Nabokov
- from 23 July 1977 to 23 March 1978Ogaden War
- 16 August 1977Death of Elvis Presley
- 17 August 1977Birth of Thierry Henry
- 20 August 1977Launch of Voyager 2
- 5 September 1977Launch of Voyager 1
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The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.