(23 July 2024) MOGADISHU (Halqabsi News) – Ethiopian troops have entered the Hiran region of Somalia with the approval of Somali authorities, following a request from the Ethiopian government. Their mission is to escort a contingent of 500 Ethiopian soldiers who are part of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and are scheduled to leave the country later this month.
The ATMIS drawdown is a planned reduction of the peacekeeping force in Somalia, aimed at transitioning security responsibilities to Somali forces. The departure of these Ethiopian troops is part of that process.
While the Somali government has confirmed that the Ethiopian troops have entered Hiran region to facilitate the withdrawal, concerns have arisen due to the large number of troops involved. Eyewitnesses in Hiran have reported seeing an estimated 6,000 soldiers with military vehicles heading towards Mahaas district, raising questions about the necessity of such a significant force for escorting a relatively small contingent.
The situation has sparked speculation and doubts among the local population and observers, as the discrepancy between the number of departing soldiers and the size of the escorting force remains unexplained. Halqabsi News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Halqabsi News
