March 24, 2013 (durame) — A total of 29 Ethiopian commando forces, who were trained in Blaten Special Force Institute, have defected to neighboring Eritrea.
The soldiers vowed they will liberate Ethiopia from what they say is an oppressive and ruthless dictatorship, according to their communiqué released on Saturday.
Ethiopia is no stranger to high profile military defections. in 2005, eight Ethiopian air force pilots, who were training in Israel, defected and claimed asylum at an Eritrean embassy in Israel.
Similarly, In 2006, over 300 Ethiopian troops, including Brigadier General Kemal Gelchu and his trusted Colonel defected to neighboring Eritrea.
