In July 2022, the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab launched an invasion from Somalia into Ethiopia's Somali Region. Following attacks on the Somali side of the border, the rebel militants initially attacked Ethiopia's Afder Zone on 21 July and occupied the town of before being driven back by Somali Region paramilitary forces. On 25 July, the militants launched a second incursion at Ferfer which was also defeated. Further cross-border attacks continued in the following days, while Ethiopia launched counter-attacks in response. Clashes between the Somali rebels and security forces inside Ethiopia extended into early August, and at least one small al-Shabaab contingent succeeded in evading the Ethiopian force and reached its main target, the Bale Mountains.