Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:26:14 +0200
Ethiopia blames international community as troops withdraw from Somalia in face of al-Shabaab threat
Al-Shabaab militants have recaptured three towns since Ethiopian troops withdrew in October.
Ethiopia has blamed a perceived lack of support from the international community for the withdrawal of troops from parts of Somalia. Earlier this month, Ethiopian soldiers abandoned areas of south-western Somalia, including the strategic town of Tiyeglow, where they were helping in the fight against terror group al-Shabaab.
He also denied allegations that the decision to pull out troops was linked to a six-month-long state of emergency declared in Ethiopia in October, following months of unrest.
Al-Shabaab fighters have already recaptured Tiyeglow. The militants also regained control of the towns of El-Alif and Halgan, in the Hiran region, shortly after Ethiopian troops were evacuated from the area.
AMISOM has been accusing of failing to tackle the al-Shabaab insurgency.
