Baidoa, Somalia — At least three Ethiopian soldiers were reportedly killed and two others injured in a roadside bomb attack on their military convoy in Baidoa, some 250km south west of the capital, Mogadishu.
The explosion, caused by a landmine, hit an armoured personnel carrier with Ethiopian troops serving under African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia.
Witnesses say the blast destroyed the vehicle while on a road leading to Baidoa Airport that is often used by military and humanitarian operations.
The Ethiopian soldiers opened fire following the explosion and sealed off the road.
No official statement has yet been issued by Ethiopian military officials or the South West State administration based in Baidoa.
However, militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it had killed three soldiers and wounded two others.
Since March, Al Shabab has increased attacks on army positions across Hiraan and Middle Shabelle, reversing recent territorial gains by the military forces.
Analysts link the surge in attacks to stalled military operations, which allowed the group to regroup and reclaim some previously liberated territories.
Despite airstrikes from Somali and international forces, the group continues to launch coordinated attacks, signaling a possible resurgence in the region.
