Ethiopian Trained TFG Troops Attacked
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Salaad Iidow Xasan (Xiis), Hiiraan Online
sxiis@hiiraan.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mogadishu, Somalia (HOL) - Transitional Federal Government (TFG) troops trained in Ethiopia who were on their way to Baidoa were attacked by groups opposed to the TFG and the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia.
The attack took place near the town of Berdale in Bay region. At the time of the attack, the TFG troops were being escorted by Ethiopian troops.
Sources in Berdale we spoke told us that the fighting was heavy and both sides used heavy weapons. The sources, however, declined to comment on the extent of casualties and damages suffered by both sides.
Recently, wide spread rumours about the arrival in Baidoa of TFG military and police forces trained in Ethiopia were circulating among residents in the region and elsewhere.
Lately, residents in Berdale have been worried about the possibility of a fighting between Ethiopian troops stationed at the outskirts of the town and an armed group camped not far from them.
Baidoa is an important city for both the TFG and the opposition for several reasons including the fact the TFG Parliament currently sits there. Moreover, both the President and the Prime Minister of the TFG have residents there. Al-Shabab forces are also strong in Bay region and have recently conducted several daring attacks on Ethiopian and TFG troops in several areas in the region.
Additional contribution by Mohamed Amin Ahmed, Hiiraan Online
mamin@hiiraan.com