Somalia: Ethiopian Troops Under Amisom Flee From Baladxawo
14 May 2014
A fleet of Ethiopian peacekeepers under the African Union Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM) withdrew their presence from Baladxawo in Gedo region after intense
clashes broke out yesterday. Almost as many as an entire contingent was
reported to have fled the town early this morning.
Witnesses described to Shabelle that several battlewagons of arrived in the
town and the Ethiopian troops boarded the vehicles before fleeing. Motives
for the sudden withdrawal are unknown, and many residents are questioning
whether another battle will break out soon in Baladxawo.
Yesterday, Interim Jubba Administration militia that have been reported to
take direct orders from Ahmed Madobe entered the town by force and engaged
in a lengthy combat with Ahlusunna Waljamaaca forces and soldiers of the
Somali National Army.
Senior Ethiopian commanders were unavailable for comment nor have they
released a statement explaining the pulling out of their peacekeepers from
Baladxawo.