Somalia: 11 Killed in Bloody Battle Against Ethiopian Forces

[Xaaji Xunjuf]

Somalia: 11 Killed in Bloody Battle Against Ethiopian Forces

1 MAY 2012

 

Hudur — At least 11 people have been killed in the latest clashes between Al Shabaab insurgents and Somali and Ethiopian troops in Somalia's southern of Bakol, locals said on Tuesday.

 

Residents told that the clashes sparked after Al Shabaab insurgents stormed the district of Hudur, 420 kilometers (260 miles) southwestern Mogadishu, where Ethiopian and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops were largely stationed.

 

Somali military officials told Shabelle Media station in the capital by telephone from Hudur town that the Al shabab fighters have overnight attacked the town from different direction to take it over. They also said the TFG forces alongside Ethiopian troops repelled the attacking militants, killing at least 7 fighters.

 

The official of Somalia military forces did not specify the casualties on TFG side during the battle in Hudur on Monday night which was a tough one that TFG and Ethiopian troops managed to drive back Al Shabaab agents and maintain the control of the town.

 

Reports indicate that the fighting forced hundreds of local residents to flee from their houses as both warring sides were receiving reinforcements that could lead heavy and deadly battle.

 

Al shabab, which is battling to topple the UN-backed Somali government and the regional forces under AMSIOM, has yet commented on the combat so far.