From: Biniam Haile \(SWE\) (eritrea.lave@comhem.se)
Date: Tue Aug 12 2008 - 16:15:58 EDT
Somalia's Islamists claim responsibility for attack on Ethiopian troops
Tuesday 12 August 2008
More details are emerging about an explosion which targeted a convoy of
Ethiopian troops passing through Sinka Dher which is between Mogadishu
and Afgoi on Monday.
Around 11p.m. (local time) last night, a convoy of Ethiopian troops was
targeted using a remote-controlled landmine as they were passing through
Sinka Dher which is between Mogadishu and Afgoi.
Ethiopian troops are said to have been on foot when the attack was
carried out.
Reports also indicate that the explosion also hit one of their vehicles
which were completely destroyed.
It is still not known whether any further losses were incurred in the
attack on Ethiopian troops.
The troops opened fire causing panic among residents of Sinka Dher.
Traffic between Mogadishu and Afgoi is said to have been on a standstill
until the Ethiopian troops arrived in Afgoi, Meanwhile, the Union of
Islamic Courts (UIC) Spokesman, Abdirahin Isse Adow, said the group is
responsible for the attack.
"Last night the Mujahidin forces [word indistinct] carried out
operations targeting enemy forces that left in a convoy of almost 20
vehicles. God almighty enabled us to hit one of the vehicles with
explosives and it was completely destroyed. We believe the enemy forces
in that vehicle were about 40. God the merciful has subjected the enemy
to eternal punishment and misery and has awarded the Mujahidin victory"
Addow said in an interview with Mareeg online.
Sheikh Abdirahin, it is said Ethiopian troops opened fire after the
explosion. Did your group sustain any injuries?
"Frankly speaking, we are part of the civilian population. The attack
was carried out in the evening and it is therefore possible that their
fire might have hit civilians who were in areas far from the scene.
However, those who conducted the operation were not harmed at all" He
said.
No comments could be reached from Ethiopian official on this matter.
This is not the first time convoys of government forces, the African
Union Mission in Somalia [AMISOM], and Ethiopian troops, have been
targeted with explosives on the roads.
This has resulted in the troops opting to walk to various parts of the
country.
By: Abdi Guled
Email: naasir0513@hotmail.com
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