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26 January 2007
BELETWEIN, Somalia Jan 25 (Garowe Online) - Hundreds of Ethiopian troops and armored vehicles crossed back into their country after weeks of battles and security operations in parts of southern and central Somalia.
Upwards of 50 armored vehicles were spotted traveling in the outskirts of Beletwein town in central Somalia and heading towards the Ethiopian side of the border.
Another 40 military vehicles left the southwestern town of Baidoa, until recently temporary seat of the interim Somali government, and headed back to Ethiopia, according to Somali military contacts.
Other sources confirmed that Ethiopian troops and heavy armory vacated their positions in the Jubba regions, traveled northwest through Lower Shabelle region and were heading home.
The troop withdrawals come at a time Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has stated that his troops would withdraw from Somalia in three phases.
Ali Mohamed Gedi, the Somali premier, has insisted that full Ethiopian withdrawal would not be realized until African Union peacekeepers deploy to support his fragile government.
Garowe Online News