Ethiopian troops serving with the African Union mission in Somalia (AMISOM) have pulled out of a key town in central Somalia on Monday, reports said.
The town, known El-ali near Beledweyne, headquarters of Hiiraan region, was immediately captured by Al-Shabaab fighters shortly after the withdrawal, unconfirmed reports indicate.
Area commissioner Omar Abiikar Yarow has also confirmed the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops from the town, saying the move out was a military tactic.
Yarow didn’t provide further details.
Pro-al shabaab media outlets have reported Monday that Ethiopian troops retreated from the town, allowing militants to make a comeback and recapture the city peacefully.
