Ethiopian Troops Initiate Mortar Strikes Following al-Shabaab Attack in Wajid District
Baidoa (AX) — In a burst of conflict, Ethiopian forces fire mortars across Somalia’s Bakool region in Wajid district after an al-Shabaab raid on their military outpost Friday night, as locals recount.
The clash escalated into a fierce battle involving both Ethiopian troops and al-Shabaab fighters, with heavy artillery being employed on both sides. Witnesses noted the significant shelling by Ethiopian forces responding to the initial onslaught.
While specifics on casualties are scarce, local leaders have yet to share an official update.
On Saturday, Ethiopian soldiers ramped up their presence in Wajid, striving to regain peace in the area after the skirmish.
In a curt message, al-Shabaab took credit for the attack, claiming they had eliminated Ethiopian soldiers and seized weapons and military gear. Nonetheless, they withheld details on the prey, both human and material.
The air remains brittle with tension as Ethiopian forces persist in their mission in the territory.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring