Meles Zenawi Says Ethiopian Troops Will Soon Withdraw

[Somalia]

Addis Ababa — Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi stated again, the second time this year, that his troops would leave Somalia shortly, Radio Garowe reports.

 

Prime Minister Meles who spoke to the Ethiopian parliament said, "Our objective was to help the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia fight terrorism and our efforts have helped restore key cities in south central Somalia."

 

Ethiopian troops who entered Somalia in January this year assisted the TFG in regaining control of key cities like Baidoa and Beledweyne and are scheduled to relinquish control to AMISOM forces. One hundred AMISOM forces are currently stationed in Baidoa and 2,400 more are scheduled to arrive.

 

Meles did not give a confirm on the date of withdrawal from Somalia by Ethiopian troops but did suggest that a withdrawal date will materialize after the threat of Al Shabaab diminishes.

 

On Tuesday, in Baidoa - a former Al Shabaab stronghold until it was captured by Ethiopian and TFG troops - a suicide bomber attempted to enter a counter-terrorism bureau. After failing to enter the Al Shabaab agent detonated the explosives killing one officer.

 

Ethiopian and Somali agents were inside the compound at the time of the blast. The Ethiopian military has yet to comment on the attack and is known for usually not commenting about Al Shabaab attacks on allied forces.