Wednesday July 31, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Ethiopian government has increased its vigilance to counter al-Shabab threats, highlighting the group's continued risk to the security and stability of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nebiyu Tedla stated on Wednesday that Ethiopian security forces, including those in border areas and those part of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), closely monitor the group's activities.
Tedla praised Ethiopian troops for their efforts in reducing the threat posed by al-Shabab, reaffirming the government's commitment to regional security cooperation to curb the group's influence.
Two weeks ago, at least 12 people were killed when government soldiers and local militias fought over the two truckloads of weapons brought over the border from Ethiopia. The incident occurred in Shiilamow village, about 20 kilometers northwest of Abudwak, near the Ethiopian border.
Somali government stated that its security forces had seized the weapons from "illegal weapons traders" and were escorting them when armed militias erected a checkpoint and intercepted the arms. The local militias overpowered government forces after receiving reinforcements from clan members.
Somali officials stated the weapons were illegally brought into the country from Ethiopia, an accusation that Ethiopia has strongly denied.
Relations between Ethiopia and Somalia have been further strained by a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland earlier this year. The MoU, which includes provisions for port access and establishing an Ethiopian naval base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland's independence, has been rejected by the Somali government as a violation of its sovereignty.