Two Ethiopian soldiers killed last week in Togheer region, western Somalia, were reportedly attempting to disarm Somali herdsmen in Buhoodle district, the Mogadishu-based ‘Ayaamaha’ newspaper reported on Thursday. According to the report, the clash occurred inside Somali territory when Ethiopian foot soldiers on patrol attempted to disarm herdsmen from the Dulbahante clan, who exchanged fire.
The Ethiopian government has protested to the administration of the self-declared autonomous region of Puntland, northeast Somalia. Puntland leader Colonel Abdullahi Yusuf has been holding talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi this week over the Djibouti-hosted Somali National Peace Conference. Puntland authorities have sent elders from the Dhulbahante clan to the scene of the incident, ‘Ayaamaha’ reported. The incident has not been confirmed by the Ethiopian government.
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