(SomaliNet) The Ethiopian troops who entered Somalia central border region earlier this week have consolidated their military bases and set up in Balanbale district of Galgadud region to protect against what they called the advance of Islamic extremists in Somalia.
Ethiopian helicopters carrying military and equipment have been landing today suburbs of Balanbale district where their troops stationed to launch intensive operations on keeping an eye on the Islamist movements in central regions of Somalia, local witness told Somalinet.
“The troops heavily armed with armored vehicles and tanks began to dig up positions around the district and they seem to have installed official bases in the region,” one of the Balanbale residents said.
Balanbale district is along the border with Ethiopia and is strategic place for the business of the two countries.
The Ethiopians also started to question the residents about the movements of Islamic Courts in the area to find more facts on them.
“The occupation forces have slaughtered cows they forcefully took from the villagers and notably they beat and tortured herdswomen in the area,” a businessman who declined to be mentioned said.
Reports from Balanbale district say troops of Islamic Courts are heading there where there was strong fear mounting on the people of the region over possible confrontation between Ethiopian troops with former defeated warlords and Islamic fighters who took the power of mostly southern and central Somalia.
Elders from Abudwaq district of Galgadud region who failed to reach an agreement with Ethiopian officials warned the bad consequence from any conflict in the region between Islamic Courts and Ethiopian forces.
Mohamed Abdi Farah