BARDALE, Somalia – Ethiopian troops serving under the flag of the AU transition mission in Somalia [ATMIS] reportedly fired mortar rounds at residential areas in the Bay region.
As many as four shells landed in eastern Bardale town, with reports that the shelling was targeting Al-Shabaab-held areas. The bombardment sent a wave of shock among locals.
After the mortar bombing, Al-Shabaab did not respond with artillery fire and the situation was tense during morning hours. The southwest state is yet to comment on the attack.
The details of the casualty figures remain unverified. This comes amid warning of Al-Shabaab attacks in revenge for the military offensive against its strongholds in Somalia.
The Ethiopian forces are stationed in the border regions in Somalia and inside the country for the fight against Al-Shabaab. Many of them are under ATMIS.
Ethiopian forces engaged in fierce clashes with Al-Shabaab fighters near the town of Rab Dhuure in western Somalia in September this year. Both sides suffered heavy losses.
Al-Shabab in a statement claimed it killed 167 Ethiopian soldiers, destroyed military vehicles, and seized a cache of weapons and ammunition.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia, Mukhtar Mohamed Ware said he saw al-Shabab’s claim on social media and described it as “propaganda.”
