Fiq, Ethiopia: History
The Guida dell'Africa Orientale Italiana described Fiq in 1938 as a place where the Somali would gather during certain months. Travel by motorcar between Fiq and Babille was possible by a track. Administrative buildings present at the time included a post office, telegraph office and an infirmary.
Early in the Ogaden War, Fiq was captured by Somali units; following the fall of Jijiga they used the town as a base for the southern jaw of a pincher attack with the goal of capturing Harar, which raged for four months from September 1977 to January 1978. Despite unexpectedly heavy resistance from the Somali, the Ethiopian Eighth division, supported by a Cuban artillery battalion, entered Fiq on 8 March 1978.