(SomaliNet) There have been huge explosions and gunfire overnight around the Ethiopian bases in Somalia capital Mogadishu – as efforts continue to restore peace and stability. Unknown armed groups have launched ambush attacks on the positions of the Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu as they responded with heavy machine and artillery fires around 9:30pm local time. Witnesses told Somalinet they heard explosions followed several minutes of gunfire around the former Pasta Factory in north of the capital where the Ethiopian forces are based. “It seemed like an armed confrontation between the Ethiopians and the attackers. The two sides exchanged heavy weapons which terrorized us,” said Ahmed Bule, a local resident. Some reports say that three people have been killed in the latest violence but it is clear whether they were civilians or soldiers.
Also, last night, armed militants have ambushed the Ethiopian forces stationing in the former police compound in south of the capital using rocket propelled grenades, mortars and heavy machine-guns. In return, the Ethiopian fired anti aircraft machine-guns and artillery rounds. No casualty was reported as it is usually too hard to receive information from the Ethiopian side.
| Their rules of engagement are a little different. |