At least 3,000 Ethiopian troops have entered Somalia in
anticipation of a fight against Al-Shabaab militants, according to witnesses.
Residents in the southwestern Gedo region said soldiers with
tanks and armored vehicles began crossing the border Monday and have been seen in
the town of Luq.
Authorities in the region earlier said forces are being
mobilized for an offensive in areas still controlled by Al-Shabaab, including
the group's last major stronghold the town of Bardere, according to a report by
VOA.
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| Ethiopian troops (seen above) march while on deployment in Somalia |
Al Shabaab has lost much of the territory it once controlled
in Somalia but still carries out large-scale attacks.
Ethiopian forces invaded Somalia in 2006 to oust an Islamic
government and since then, Ethiopia has frequently sent troops across the
border.
The Ethiopians often work in tandem with the African Union
mission in Somalia, AMISOM, which played a major role in driving Al-Shabaab out
of the capital, Mogadishu, as well as other areas.