al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb attacked Business target (Aug. 6, 2007, Ethiopia)

Incident Date: Aug. 6, 2007

Terrorist Organization(s): al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb

City: Jijiga

Country/Area: Ethiopia

Region: Africa

Target: Business

Tactic: Bombing

Suicide: No

Weapon: Explosives

Fatalities: 1

Injuries: 8

US Attack: No

US Fatalities: 0

US Injuries: 0

Attack Claimed: Yes

Coordinated: Yes

Description: Explosives rocked both an evangelical church and a market in Jijiga, Ethiopia. Regional Vice President Jama Ahmed blamed the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) for the attack. The ONLF have taken advantage of Ethiopia's recent troubles in Somalia, by stepping up their attacks in the volatile East. These attacks have only served to destabilize recent eastern Ethiopia. The ONLF are comprised of ethnic Somalis who are demanding greater autonomy from Ethiopia. However, shortly after the attack, the Mujahideen Youth Movement (MYM), who are embroiled in a fierce insurgency in Somalia claimed responsibility for the attack, proudly proclaiming that they slaughter "worshippers of the Cross" and Ethiopians. The Mujahideen Youth Movement have been battling Ethiopian forces in Somalia since December.



Publication Date: 08/06/2007

Incident-data Provider: RAND Corporation