Coup-Proofing in Ethiopia post 1960 coup

What do you think would happen had it been an Ethiopian Empire fighting against a Communist Somalia? Would the West provide material support?

I think it very much depends on what the TTL USSR did in relation to Somalia. The OTL USSR found itself in the strange position of aiding two enemies, due to unpredicted upheveals in Horn politics. If TTL USSR stayed out of the conflict, there would be less incentive for the West to get involved.
 
I think it very much depends on what the TTL USSR did in relation to Somalia. The OTL USSR found itself in the strange position of aiding two enemies, due to unpredicted upheveals in Horn politics. If TTL USSR stayed out of the conflict, there would be less incentive for the West to get involved.
The USSR already had conflicts with the Somalis in terms of proper organization on communist lines for the Somali Communist Party and Islamic-Socialist doctrine so they might not support the Somalis in their invasion of Ethiopia - their ideology is also anti-imperialist so they may even support monarchist Ethiopia but this is highly unlikely. How would the Ogaden War (between monarchist Ethiopia and Communist Somalia) go without interference/support from either sides of the Cold War?
 
The USSR already had conflicts with the Somalis in terms of proper organization on communist lines for the Somali Communist Party and Islamic-Socialist doctrine so they might not support the Somalis in their invasion of Ethiopia - their ideology is also anti-imperialist so they may even support monarchist Ethiopia but this is highly unlikely. How would the Ogaden War (between monarchist Ethiopia and Communist Somalia) go without interference/support from either sides of the Cold War?

It all comes down to logisitics. Who can sustained a modern army in such hostile terrain longer without aid from the Blocs?
 
It all comes down to logisitics. Who can sustained a modern army in such hostile terrain longer without aid from the Blocs?
The Ethiopians were superior in terms of economy and population when compared to other countries in the Horn of Africa. The Somalis might have more superior firepower and heavy weapons as well as having taken many causalties while forcing the Ethiopian Army to retreat further into the Ogaden. To me, it seems like Ethiopia can sustain a war of attrition better than the Somalis but I’m not completely sure. Try asking @GoulashComrade.
 
It all comes down to logisitics. Who can sustained a modern army in such hostile terrain longer without aid from the Blocs?
What if Siad has much more radical aims for the invasion of Ethiopia? What if he had wanted to go as far as taking Addis Ababa and completely vassalizing Ethiopia? How would this affect the Somali performance? Would this see more support for Ethiopia and an even more fanatical resistance or no?
 
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