Ethiopia's long history is a chronicle of skirmishes and battles fought by a nation at the receiving end forced to duels to prevail as a political entity.  Many an enemy have traversed long distances to subdue Ethiopians but even when armed with crude spears and swords they proved invincible and remained the beacon of hope and freedom in the face of aggression and adversity.  

Ethiopia a land of fascinating abundance inhabited by people imbued with an overwhelming spirit of freedom and cohesion, remains enigmatic defying explanations and attempts at categorization. 

At no time in its long existence as a state, Ethiopia was interested in annexing land be it from its neighbors or the surrounding regions.  Peaceful coexistence was at the heart of its unwritten foreign policy and legal defense when warranted by aggression. 

One of such aggressions in recent times was perpetrated by the regime in Eritrea and earlier by Siad Bare of Somalia in mid-seventies.  Obsessed with the aborted 'ideal' of Greater Somalia, the tyrant invaded Ethiopia causing untold suffering and damage to both nations and ultimately his ouster which plunged his country in to the chaos and blood-letting that was still raging.  

Stateless Somalia became a hot breeding spot for extremists, harboring terrorists poised to destabilize the Horn and spread political Islam, in the name of which they campaign to impose themselves on the people of Somalia.

The Union of Islamic Courts (UICs), is an outgrowth of the crisis, the leadership of which was hood-winked by jihadists, solely looking for an alibi to install Taliban-style government that would plunge Somalia into crisis engulfing the sub-region in complete anarchy. 

Following the advances they made in to southern Somali, with inflated ego, the UIC jihadist leadership was spoiling for war declaring jihad against Ethiopia, second home to thousands of Somali refugees living in harmony amidst their Ethiopian brothers. 

Wary of the looming danger and the arrogance displayed by the UIC extremist leadership, Ethiopia earnestly tried to diplomatically engage them from Addis Ababa to Djibouti even to Dubai in the dying moments. 

All these, in the face of 'clear and present danger' that manifested itself in unprovoked attacks, insurgent training and infiltration. 

UIC put an ultimatum trying to besiege Baidoa and then attacking the TFG with recklessness and unparalleled vanity which led to its demise. 

Joint Ethiopian and TFG forces, in a lightning counter-offensive have routed the forces of the UIC forcing them to flee in disarray and humiliation.  

Strategists and analysts were dumb-founded and taken by surprise in the sweeping and swift military operation that hugely damaged the capability of the UIC forcing them to melt away into the remote horizons. 

Ethiopia, true to its word, did its level best to talk sense into the belligerent group but to no avail. 

When it felt the time has come for reckoning, invoking its inherent right to self-defense, Ethiopia has managed to cut to size the jihadists, sending a clear signal to their patrons too, to back off and allow Somalis to put their house in order.  

The Transitional Federal Government, now in full control of Somalia and the capital Mogadishu, is engaged in consultations with clan leaders and community elders to restore peace and stability in the aftermath of the war against the extremists. 

Gradually but definitely peace would reign and reconstruction of Somalia would kick off, hopefully with international support and determination of the people with yet another chance for them to join the community of nations. 

In complete contrast to and unlike belligerent parties and groups, Ethiopia has always been humble in its approach and ready to show its wonderful hospitality to everybody with peaceful intentions.  

Once more, Ethiopia triggers huge interest among strategies still debating as how to tackle and quell terrorism setting a model in its own humble yet convincing way.  

Its interest lies in mutual gains and headways made in achieving prosperity changing the livelihood of its people. 

No one could benefit from war mongering, threats and unprovoked assaults that would unleash the wrath of even the most humble.