Ethiopian troops on Thursday clashed with Alshabaab fighters near Hiraan El Gaal area in the South Central Hiraan region with both sides incurring loses.
The Firefight followed an ambush on an Ethiopian contingent that was coming from Galgadud region.
Deaths and injuries have been reported on both sides.
Alshabaab through an affiliated website claimed to have destroyed an Ethiopian military vehicle.
Beledweyne Deputy Police commander Isaq Ali Abdulle confirmed the ambush but said that Alshabaab had been defeated in the fighting
“Ethiopian troops who came from Galgadud were ambushed in between Ilka Ade and El Gaal by the anti-peace guys. And from the information we have, they suffered a big loss. They then flee the area,†said Mr. Abdulle.
“It’s a lie. The Ethiopian forces were fired at and they responded. Several of the Alshabaab fighters who set the ambush were killed. But we are not aware of any loss suffered by the Ethiopian forces,†added Abdulle.
Ethiopia is part of the 22000 strong African Union peace keeping mission in Somalia.
Alshabaab has intensified attacks on Amisom and SNa troops in parts of Hirshabelle and South West States
