The Ethiopian–Somali Border War took place from June 1982 to August 1983, when Ethiopia launched a large-scale invasion of central Somalia. Backed by warplanes and armored units, Ethiopia deployed a 10,000-man force alongside thousands of Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF) rebels.
The operation initially aimed to advance all the way to the Somali coastline and ultimately overthrow the Barre regime. Despite their efforts, Ethiopian troops and SSDF guerrillas failed to capture the key cities of Galkayo and Beledweyne, as the Somali army successfully repelled the main assault. However, the conflict soon devolved into a military stalemate around the border towns of Galdogob and Balanbale.