Ethiopian troops backed by more than 22 military trucks returned to the provincial capital of Lower Shabelle region to reinforce security operations in the region.

The Ethiopian army contingent arrived in Marka for the first time last month, where they stayed briefly before deploying into other Lower Shabelle towns including the port of Barawe.

Lower Shabelle regional officials said the Ethiopian troops are searching for insurgent bases, which are rumored to be operating secretly inside the region.

The Ethiopian soldiers will conduct search operations inside Marka for suspects linked to insurgent attacks, the regional officials indicated.

So far, the troops have not found any insurgent base or arrested any suspects.

But Somalia's interim government is largely dependent on Ethiopian troops to protect its asset against insurgent attacks.

Also on Friday, a truck transporting water to an Ethiopian military base in north Mogadishu hit a landmine, killing the driver and a passenger.

Five other people, including two soldiers, were wounded in the attack.

Insurgents have sworn to wage war until Ethiopian troops leave Somali soil and Islamic rule is reestablished across the Horn of Africa country.