The Hadiya Development Association built a statue commemorating Col. Bezabih Petros, one of the most accomplished Air Force pilots in Ethiopian history. Bezabih became a legendary figure in the Ethiopian air force after he shot down a US-made fighter jet used by the then Mogadishu government during the Somalia invasion of Ethiopia in 1977. 

In the 1970s, the United States Air Force (USAF) trained Somali pilots and provided the latest fighter jets to Somalia in order to overthrow Ethiopia’s pro-Soviet government in Addis Ababa. However, Col. Bezabih made dozens of successful combat trips helping the Ethiopian air force to reverse the invasion and defeat US-backed Somalia.

Col. Bezabih is from the ethnic Hadiya community and his monument was inaugurated in Hosana town of Hadiya zone in southern Ethiopia.

In addition to family, veterans and his old Air force colleagues, the event was also attended by local and federal government officials. Bezabih was known to be a true civil servant and patriot who avoided domestic politics and focused on serving his country. In addition to his heroism in the 1977, he offered his services in 1998, advising other Ethiopian pilots which helped Ethiopia defeat Eritrea during the border war. But his whereabouts are unknown after his plane was later downed in Eritrea and reportedly captured.

Col. Bezabih was also an advocate of the African Union, black solidarity and Pan-Africanism.

The area where the statue is built, one of the city centers of the Hadiya zone town, will be renamed Col Bezabih square. The Ethiopian Air force and Helicopters flew over and above during the ceremony and dropped leaflets for celebration. Bezabih’s famous brother and opposition politician Prof Beyene Petros also attended the event. Ethiopian Air force Commander Yilma Merdassa said he is honored to commemorate Col. Bezabih’s statue after recently opening the new state-of-the-art Ethiopian Defense HQ building inaugurated by the Prime Minister several days ago.