Garowe Online (Garowe)
25 March 2008
Garowe — Ethiopian troops have deployed in parts of Lower Shabelle region for the first time since the Ethiopia's military intervention in south Somalia in December 2006.
The heavily-armed Ethiopian force has set up temporary base in the outskirts of Marka, the capital of Lower Shabelle region.
On Tuesday, Ethiopian commanders met privately with Lower Shabelle Governor Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and traditional elders.
The commanders informed Lower Shabelle regional officials and the elders that the troops are searching for secret bases where insurgents train and organize their anti-government operations, according to Governor Nur.
The troops were reported to have already begun search operations in parts of the region.
In Koryoley district, of Lower Shabelle region, Ethiopian army commanders met with local officials and elders yesterday.
The meeting was focused on the Ethiopian commanders' questions about Islamic Courts officials who were reported to be hiding inside Koryoley district.
Local elders informed the Ethiopian commanders that no Islamist officials had arrived in Koryoley and requested that the Ethiopian force withdraw from the district, according to sources at the meeting.
But the commanders refused to withdraw until the security situation improves, highlighting the government's concern about insurgent activities in Lower Shabelle region, which borders Mogadishu where most insurgent attacks take place.
Koryoley and Marka locals expressed their worry that violence might erupt in the erstwhile calm region, with insurgents targeting Ethiopian army positions.
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