Vanguard of Valour: The Militias in the Ethio-Somali War, 1977–1978

In much of the academic literature on contemporary militias, the focus is typically on their destructive character. However, the Ethio-Somali War of 1977–1978 marked a defining moment in the Horn of Africa, where the engagement of militia forces in defending the mother land was one that, to date has been under-researched. This paper examines the untold organizational structure, strategic deployment, and operational effectiveness of the Ethiopian militia during the war. Drawing on archival sources and military records this paper highlights how these militias not only augmented the conventional armed forces but also influenced tactical decisions and morale on the battlefield.