Ethiopia was already engaged with other rebel groups throughout the country especially in Eritrea, when the Somalis invaded, not to mention the internal power struggle within the derg that weakened the government of the country, look at what happened in the first ogaden conflict, a minor but important skirmish in the 60s. Ethiopians repulsed the guerrillas and the Somali army attacks, and then it's Air Force attacked feerfeer.
Ethiopia was a little more stable then, since the movement in Eritrea was still in its infancy.
By 77, 78, the eplf was very powerful and was gaining territory in Eritrea.
OLF was there, also Afar rebels, sidama, tigray, even though some were small rebel armies with some having a few thousand members, it still made the Ethiopian army commit troops there and use resources, so basically it distracted it and weakened it. Ethiopian army had to fight on several fronts by the time the Somalis invaded.
Somalia took advantage and I'm not saying I blame them, but I'm saying it isn't indicative of the Ethiopian militaries true skills had it been ran by an united government, one that isn't in wars already throughout the country and within its self.
Luis,
Yes wslf eventually collapsed, but its activities while it did exist, weakened the Ethiopian army just like the other rebel armies did, by making it deploy troops there and using up resources it desperately needed.
10 ants can weaken a lion even if they attack in an uncoordinated manner.
During the derg, over half the countries gdp and funds were used on the army.
