1977 battle of the Eritrean War of Independence
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.
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]
The Ethiopian garrison was reorganized as Task Force 507, while the Ethiopian air force deployed their F-5Es in Mekelle and began using their air superiority to their advantage. 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.[2]
On 13 June 1978, the EPLF and the ELF attempted to storm the town of Barentu in a coordinated assault, however this town was situated on high ground and they were soon exposed to heavy firepower. The EPLF alone lost 150 troops and 1 tank. According to reports, fighting between the ELF and EPLF also happened, and caused around 400 casualties. By August 9th, the EPLF and the ELF would abandon the siege, retreating to Agordat.[3][4]
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.
EPLF
ELF
Ethiopia