Addis Ababa - Ethiopia has rejected a claim by a rebel group that the group has taken control of a gas field in the country's Ogaden region. Firms including Malaysian state oil company Petronas and Vancouver-based Africa Oil Corporation are exploring Ogaden for potential oil and gas reserves. The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), a group that wants more autonomy for the region, regularly warns foreign firms to leave the area's deserts. "Special forces of the Ogaden National Liberation Front yesterday liberated and are now in control of the Hilala field in Eastern Ogaden," the rebels said in a statement late on Saturday. Analysts say the rebels are incapable of ousting the government but can hamper development and weaken security forces in Ogaden with hit-and-run attacks.

Source: Ethiopian News September 12, 2017 20:48 UTC