[War] Ethiopia: Escalations (3)

[David McGrogan]

Ethiopia: Escalations (3)
Lieutenant-Colonel Astakte, 37th Mechanised Infantry Regiment, 1st Mech. 
Inf. Battalion Commander-in-Chief, Baidoa.
30th of July, 2006.


Astatke recieved a phone call that afternoon.

"Colonel Haile Kewe," said his communication officer, passing him the 
handset.

"This is Lieutenant-Colonel Astatke," he said.

"Astatke." Colonel Kewe was Commander in Chief of the 37th Mechanised 
Infantry Regiment.

"Sir," Astatke said.

"It's been confirmed that the Eritreans are supplying the Union of Islamic 
Courts with arms," Kewe began. "This puts your battalion in danger. It 
suggests the UIC are readying themselves for an attack on Baidoa - 
regardless of the presence of your troops there."

Astatke swallowed. "Understood, sir."

"Should they attack, you'll be expected to fight, and you'll be expected to 
destroy the enemy. I have faith in you to do that."

Kewe and Astatke had fought together in the 1998-2000 Eritrean war - Astatke 
knew his commander to be taciturn and cold, but decisive in battle and as 
brave as a lion.

"Understood, sir."

Kewe paused. "In any case, it would appear I'm to be joining you."

Astatke started. "Joining me, sir?"

"Yes. The rest of the 37th will be joining you down there in Baidoa. The 2nd 
Mech. Inf. battalion will be with you within the next two days, along with 
the Artillery battalion. The rest of the regiment will be there next week."

Astatke felt his heart quicken. The Prime Minister really expected a fight 
with the UIC, then. His battalion numbered 1500 men, and had over a hundred 
armoured vehicles. Within two days that would jump to 3500 men plus heavy 
artillery. By next week there'd be over 5000 Ethiopian troops in Baidoa, 
with attendant APCs and light armour, and a dozen T-62 main battle tanks. An 
impressive show of force by Wami's government.

"Needless to say we'll have air support," Kewe finished. "A squadron of 
Su-27s will fly air superiority missions."

"Understood, sir."

"You're in charge until I arrive on August the fourth," Kewe continued. "I 
want you to establish lines of communication and a logistics framework for 
the rest of the regiment."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll want a full report, too. But in the meantime, I want your assessment 
of the UIC. If it comes to a fight, what can we expect?"

Astatke thought for a moment. "The UIC militias are strongly motivated and 
well-organised. They've proved that already. They aren't your average clan 
militia. They'll probably be relatively well-equipped too, if Eritrea is 
arming them." Astatke cleared his throat. "But they lack air support and 
have no armour, and so they can't be expected to be a significant threat in 
pitched battle. They're also poorly trained and no match for well-drilled 
regulars in a conventional fight. On the other hand, most of them are combat 
veterans, and are individually tough fighters. They'll be wily opponents."

"I'll pass your thoughts on to Divisional HQ," said Kewe. "Thanks, Astatke. 
Should it come to a fight, it'll be good to have an officer like you at the 
helm."

"Thankyou, sir. Do you really think it'll come to a fight?"

Kewe laughed. "That all depends on the UIC. Once they know they're facing a 
full regiment with air support they might think twice about it. Then they'll 
be forced to negotiate with the Transitional Government. At least, I think 
that's Wami's plan. Good-day, Lieutenant-Colonel."

ACTIONS

1 - Reinforce the Mechanised Infantry battalion in Baidoa with the rest of 
its regiment (the 37th Mechanised Infantry) - an artillery battalion and 
another Mech. Inf. battalion to join immediately, with the tank company and 
recon company and final Mech. Inf. battalion to be there by August 4th-5th. 
This is in anticipation of a UIC attack on Baidoa and all-out war between 
them and the Transitional Government.

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