Rebel Gunmen have killed at least 74 Ethiopian soldiers in an attack on an oil field in Ethiopia's remote Somali region, the Ethiopian government says.
Sixty-five Ethiopians and nine Chinese oil workers were killed in the incident early on Tuesday, an adviser to the prime minister told the BBC.
Besides those killed, seven Chinese workers were taken captive, he said.
A spokesman for the separatist group, the Ogaden National Liberation Front, said it had launched the attack.
The clashes took place at an oil field in Abole, a small town about 120km (75 miles) from the regional capital, Jijiga.
"It is a cold blood killing, a massacre. It is a terrorist act," Berekat Simon, an adviser to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, said.
He blamed the ONLF, which he said had the backing of the Eritrean government.
Almost 200 gunmen have taken part in the operations.
Meanwhile in Mogadishu heavy fighting is continuing between the Ethiopian and Somali fighters. Kids as young as 10 (picture) are taking part in the conflict which has raged for almost 7 days, earlier in the week Kismayo has been lost by the "government" after a deadly clashes in the town.
The prime ministers of Somalia is blaming "alqaeda" for the nation's trouble.
KC
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