After a prolonged and arduous campaign in 1935-36, conducted with every circumstance of ruthlessness and cruelty, Italy annexed Abyssinia or such portions of it as she was able to control. But the country never really came to terms with its conquerors, and bitter hostility, coupled with outbursts of guerrilla warfare, have darkened the four years of occupation. When Italy entered the European war, Abyssinia's hopes of freedom revived. Since that day she has been officially acknowledged by Britain as an ally, and on July 15 it was announced that Abyssinian troops were fighting side by side with Sudanese troops against Italians.
