Ethiopian troops fighting terrorist Islamist group al-Shabab have pulled out of a key military base in central Somalia’s Hiran region, following an artillery fire on their base overnight reports AFP.
The soldiers fighting under the African Union mission banner withdrew from the El-Ali base on Tuesday morning, giving the terrorist group, Shabaab, to reoccupy the town.
“The Ethiopian troops pulled out of El-Ali town early this morning,” said Somali security official Abdirisak Moalim Ahmed, adding the reason for the withdrawal was unclear.
The Ethiopian troops are said to be heading to the provincial capital Beledweyne which is about 70 kilometres away from the twon.
“El-Ali is at least the second town Ethiopian troops have vacated in recent weeks, after abandoning nearby Moqokori. No explanation has been given by the Ethiopian military while the spokesman for the AU Mission in Somalia (Amisom) did not respond to requests for comment.” Says the AFP report
According to Ahmed resident, traders and Somali security forces have also abandoned the town after the troops pulled out.
