BAIDOA, Somalia July 15, 2013 (Garowe Online) - Ethiopian troops stationed
in Bay regional capital of Baidoa in southern Somalia handed over their
military bases to AMISOM peacekeeping forces on Monday, Garowe Online
reports.
The last battalions of Ethiopian troops left with their armored fighting
vehicles, tanks and artillery trucks, according to eyewitnesses in Baidoa.
"Ethiopian troops stationed here began to vacate Baidoa yesterday [Sunday],
they had three military bases and following their recent preparations, the
last group of troops vacated Baidoa today," witnesses said.
Local reports in Baidoa confirmed to Garowe Online that AMISOM peacekeeping
forces immediately filled the military stations vacated by Ethiopian troops.
"Some of the troops walked out by foot and they were vigilant because they
feared attack by Al Shabaab militants during the withdrawal," an eyewitness
added.
On 10 July, Ethiopian troops vacated Bay regional districts of Bardale and
Qansahdheere and their pullout was also felt in Baidoa as they retreated
from major military bases including Hasey Factory station and 60th Somali
Army Base.
Ethiopian troops intervened in Southern Somalia in Dec. 2006 and withdrew by
Jan. 2009, but returned to Gedo, Bay, Bakool, Hiiraan and Galgadud border
regions in early 2012 in support of Somali government's stabilization
operations.
In March 2013, Ethiopian vacated Huddur town of Bakool region, near the
Ethiopian border, and Al Shabaab militants almost immediately seized control
of Huddur to date.
Received on Wed Jul 17 2013 - 14:29:15 EDT