Ethiopian forces clash with al Shabaab in western Somalia, residents say

Ethiopian forces engaged in fierce clashes with al Shabaab fighters near the town of Rab Dhuure in western Somalia on Sunday morning, local residents said.

At around 9 a.m. (0600 GMT) local residents heard large explosions followed by a heavy near the town of Rab Dhuure in Bakool region, around 20 km (12 miles) from the Ethiopia border.

Al Shabaab claimed to have ambushed a large convoy of Ethiopian troops, who are operating in the area as part of regional efforts to wipe out the al Qaeda-affiliated group.

“We heard about three huge explosions and then an exchange of heavy guns followed,” said local resident Hassan Abdulle.

“It was a fierce fighting with shells and other weapons but we don’t know the details,” said Fatuma Ali, who lives in Rab Dhuure.

Read more: Reuters