Garowe Online (Garowe)
4 January 2009
Ethiopian troops have reportedly re-entered parts of Gedo region and forced Islamist rebels to retreat inward, Radio Garowe reports.
Al Shabaab insurgents have left every major town in Gedo region, except the key town of Bardhere where the guerrillas ordered an around-the-clock curfew, which started midday Sunday, residents said.
The insurgents retreated from at least three districts in Gedo region, including the provincial capital Garbaharey and the trading town of Beled Hawo.
Col. Warfa Sheikh Aden, a Somali militia commander, told the media that local clan militias had taken over the districts without a fight.
He denied media reports that Ethiopian troops were aiding their advance into Gedo, a region along the Somali-Ethiopian border that has recently seen an upsurge in insurgent activity.
Last week, Al Shabaab fighters attacked an Ethiopian army base near the border, marking a turning point for security in a region that has seen Ethiopian intervention nonstop since 1996.
Unconfirmed reports said Ethiopia is re-arming Col. Barre Hirale, a notorious warlord-turned-lawmaker, who was forced out of the port city of Kismayo four months ago by Al Shabaab insurgents.
Col. Hirale, who enjoys clan support in Gedo region, fled to Ethiopia in August but plans a military comeback to Kismayo.
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