A military convoy carrying Ethiopian troops struck a roadside bomb while on patrol in occupied southern Somalia. Local contacts reveal the incident occurred in the city of Garbahaaray in Gedo province.
According to eyewitnesses the convoy was on patrol near an Ethiopian army base in the city of Garbaharay, prior to coming in contact with the roadside bomb that was hidden in the dirt road. The subsequent explosion damaged the vehicle as parts of the convoy where engulfed in flames.
Dozens of Ethiopian troops departed the nearby base after the explosion and cordoned off the area of the blast. Residents in Garbaharaay that spoke with Halgan Media on condition of anonymity reveal the Ethiopian troops began setting up positions in the neighborhood where the blast occurred which frightened many residents, forcing many families to remain indoors throughout the day.
The Al Qaeda affiliated armed group Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack shortly afterwards in a statement published on the pro militant website dubbed Somali Memo. The statement published online claimed two Ethiopian soldiers where killed in the blast, with four more troops wounded.
Thr city of Garbaharay is the provincial capital of Gedo province and hosts the largest Ethiopian army base in the region, which is home to thousands of Ethiopian troops. The Ethiopians maintain a similar army base in the city of Bardheere and other parts in occupied southern Somalia.
Halgan Media Service Desk
Contact us : info@halganmedia.net
