Al Shabaab Launches Attack on Ethiopian Forces
Ethiopian troops have been part of a three pronged attack on Somalia. Earlier this year Ethiopian forces moved into Somalia from the western border. Kenyan and African Union forces entered from the southern borders and took the capital city of Mogadishu from Al Shabaab.
Burundi peacekeepers preparing for an assignment into Somalia. (Photo credit: US Army Africa)
Al Shabaab launched a counter attack on Ethiopian forces near the border town of Yurkud. The battle reportedly lasted several hours. At the end of the battle, the Al Shabaab insurgents were seen retreating.
Seventeen dead Al Shabaab fighters and six Ethiopian soldiers were reported seen in the battle area. However, Al Shabaab claimed to have killed over 70 Ethiopian soldiers in the battle. They also claimed to have lost only five fighters. Ethiopia would not disclose any information about the fighting.
Somalia has been in chaos for two decades. Ever since the overthrow of the government in 1991, the control has lacked a strong central government capable of managing the country. US trained and UN forces entered the country to assist the Somali government in regaining control over cities lost to Al Shabaab militants.
Al Shabaab is now a part of the Al Qaeda international terrorist organization.
Bibliography
- Ethiopia arrests four Al-Qaeda allied suspects (sudantribune.com)
- Al Shabaab executes Kenyan hostage, threaten 5 more (nation.co.ke)
- AU Somali force readies for possible Ethiopia pullout (capitalfm.co.ke)
- Somalia: The Federal Government Troops and Ethiopian Troops Attack Shabab Bases in Gedo (sgt-jim.blogspot.com)
- Al-Shabaab renews offensive in southern Somalia – Daily Monitor (monitor.co.ug)
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