Nairobi/Addis Ababa - Ethnic Somali rebels in Ethiopia claimed on Saturday that they had recaptured several towns from the government and killed a "significant" number of troops during a 48- hour operation earlier this week.

The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) is fighting to secure independence for the ethnically Somali, oil-rich Ogaden region in southeast Ethiopia.

"The operation involved thousands of ONLF troops and resulted in two days of heavy fighting," the group said in a statement.

"A significant number of Ethiopian troops have been killed and their military hardware captured or destroyed during this operation."

The ONFL said it seized the towns of Obolka, Hamaro, Higlaaley, Yucub, Galadiid, Boodhaano and Gunogabo and that its forces were "warmly welcomed" by the civilian populations.

The claims could not be independently verified and there was no immediate comment from the Ethiopian government, which usually dismisses reports of rebel gains.

Ethiopian forces launched an offensive against the ONLF after the rebels attacked a Chinese-run oil project, killing over 70 people, in April 2007. (dpa)