At least five people, including pastoralists were killed when the Al Qaeda-affiliated Al Shabaab militants attacked Ethiopian troops’ base in Gedo province on Friday night, reports said.
The overnight ambush attack has sparked to flare up gunfight between Al Shabaab and Ethiopian soldiers stationed at Yurkud village, located some 40 kilometers away from Luq town.
Ethiopian forces serve under the UN-mandated African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) who are helping Somali government in fight against Al Shabaab.
The AU forces say are still in full control of the base and pushed back Al Shabaab fighters with heavy casualties, though the casualties of inflicted on the militants are yet to confirm.
Several pastoralists died in the gun fight after they were caught in the cross fire.
After the attack, Ethiopian troops have launched an operation, to pursue of the attackers, but no arrests were reported. Situation of the area has returned to normalcy following the attack.
