Ethiopian forces clash with Al-Shabaab in Galgaduud, central Somalia

Armed Al-Shabaab fighters attacked a military convoy belonging to Ethiopian troops near El Bur town in Galgaduud region of central Somalia, residents said onTuesday.

The attack sparked a fierce clash between Al-Shabaab militants and Ethiopian forces who are serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

The militants reportedly attacked Ethiopian soldiers evening Monday in El-Qahle  village  after blocking roads around the village.

”We heard heavy gun battles that lasted for more than 12 hours. All the residents were in state of fear and shock,” said one of residents in El-Qohle village, where the attack took place.

The number of casualties is yet unclear as the area is far from main centres.

Al-Shabab claimed to have killed over 10 Ethiopian soldiers during the attack.

The AU force in Somalia deployed to Mogadishu in 2007 to back the weak interim government. In January 2014, the Ethiopian troops formally joined the AMISOM peacekeeping mission and based in Baidoa, Southwestern Somalia.