Somalia: Ethiopian forces withdraw new town in Somalia, Amisom took it immediately

The African Union Forces in Somalia [AMISOM] took over Goof Guduud town in Baay region of southern Somalia after Ethiopian troops withdrew from it early on Tuesday, RBC Radio reports.

According to Somali security officials who spoke to RBC Radio, the Ethiopian forces vacated Goof Guduud town, south of Baydhabo the capital of Baay region.

The officials said AMISOM set up a new base in Goof Guduud on Tuesday afternoon to prevent from the extremist group of Al Shabab to fill the town after the Ethiopians withdrew in the morning.

Goof Guduud is the third town of Baay region with AMISOM presence.

Meanwhile the African Union Forces Command did not comment on the development.

On early March, Al Shabab militants took over Xudur town after Ethiopian forces vacated from the town. The move brought the government of Somalia to declare that it was preparing its troops backing by AMISOM to take over the vacuum.

Last week Ethiopian prime minister Hailemariam Desalegn said its troops will pull out from Somalia soon, voicing frustration with the Mogadishu government and African Union peacekeeping forces that are also battling Islamist militants there. But the remarks was dismissed by the foreign ministry spokesman.

Ethiopia, which is waging heavy battles from Al Shabab is not part of African Union Mission in Somalia and for that its prime minister Hailemariam said that Ethiopia bears the cost of its military operation in Somalia alone.