Mogadishu (Alshahid) – Heavily armed Ethiopian troops are reported to have taken positions in parts of Hiran region near the border on Sunday, witnesses said.
The troops stationed themselves in Sariirale village, near the common border but their final destination remains unclear.
Correspondents say these troops moved from the Mustahil in the Somali region of Ethiopia near the common border.
Truck drivers who ply between Somali region of Ethiopia and southern Somalia expressed concern over the latest troop movement since they encounter aggressive security check ups during their trip.
This development comes as residents displaced by latest clashes began to return homes in Beledweyn
Meanwhile, ethnic Somali rebels in Ethiopia claimed to have inflicted heavy losses on Ethiopian troops following four days clashes in Somali region of Ethiopia.
Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) press secretary, Hussein Mohamed Nur told local media by phone from Qatar that they had killed 230 Ethiopian troops’ mainly military officials.
“We killed 230 Ethiopian troops’ most military officials and we will continue our struggle until our people are given the right to self determination “he said.
“We will force Ethiopia to accept our demands”
However, he acknowledged suffering minimal casualties from their side.
“We have started large scale military campaign on the Ethiopian military installations to weaken their defenses and more of their troops”.
These claims could be independently verified and there is no word from Ethiopian authorities.
