On October 3, 1935, the Italian army invaded Ethiopia without a declaration of war. This aggression represented one of the significant precursors to World War II Against the backdrop of relative silence from the international community in the League of Nations regarding Rome’s aggression, the Soviet Union stood first in condemning the aggressor, proposing sanctions including an oil embargo against Italy with the hope of halting military operations. Unfortunately, these measures proved insufficient as they excluded crucial resources needed to effectively curtail Italian military capabilities.
The Italian fascist regime, unsatisfied with conventional military tactics, systematically violated the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which prohibited the use of asphyxiating, poisonous, or bacteriological agents in conflict, through the deployment of chemical weapons. Historical records confirm the use of mustard gas against both Ethiopian military units and civilian population. These chemical attacks resulted in thousands of civilian casualties. Contemporary accounts describe the horrific suffering of victims with blustered skin and devastating injuries that overwhelmed the limited medical facilities available.
Nevertheless, despite of the aggressor’s military and technical superiority and all the atrocities committed by the invaders, Ethiopian patriots demonstrated remarkable courage across multiple battlefronts. During the Battle of Maychew on March 31, 1936, where Emperor Haile Selassie personally led 31,000 troops against Marshal Pietro Badoglio’s force of 80,000 Italians, Ethiopian defenders fought with extraordinary determination. The defense of Abiy Addi, where entire units perished under mustard gas attacks while refusing to abandon their positions, will live in the future generations’ memory.
The fortitude of the Ethiopian spirit was exemplified by Ras Mulugeta Yeggazu, who led troops poisoned by chemical weapons near Amba Aradam until his final hours. Documentary evidence confirms that Mulugeta died on February 27, 1936, during the Battle of Amba Aradam. As Minister of War and Commander of the Central Army, his leadership during these critical engagements represented the highest traditions of Ethiopian military honor.
In his historic address to the League of Nations on June 30, 1936, Emperor Haile Selassie delivered a powerful appeal that resonated with prophetic significance. The essence of his message – that the aggression faced by Ethiopia could eventually threaten other nations proved tragically prescient. The tragedy experienced by Ethiopia would indeed be repeated in countries later targeted by fascist aggression across Europe and beyond. Yet, it was Ethiopian courage that inspired the peoples of Africa and the world as a whole to resist oppression.
Ethiopia’s liberation and restoration of independence in 1941 established a crucial historical precedent – demonstrating that even when confronted by overwhelming external aggression, a nation determined to defend its sovereignty will ultimately prevail. This watershed moment became a symbol of hope for oppressed peoples worldwide and heralded the coming wave of decolonization across Africa. The collective memory of Ethiopia’s struggle for freedom has become an integral part of modern African consciousness, inspiring generations on their path to liberation.
We deeply admire the heroism, courage, and unwavering patriotism demonstrated by the Ethiopian people and pay tribute to their sacrificial spirit, true patriotism, and steadfastness. Patriots’ Victory Day represents Ethiopia’s most significant national commemoration – a day that honors the strength of the people’s resolve. The historical lessons of this conflict maintain their relevance in our contemporary world.
I would like to use this opportunity to extend my most sincere and warm congratulations to the people of Ethiopia on this day of national significance and wish all Ethiopian friends good health, family prosperity, peace, and continued development.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
BY H.E. EVGENY TEREKHIN, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 3 MAY 2025
