The Ethiopian troops in the recent times based in Bulo-Burte town of Hiran region central Somalia more than month have withdrawn there on Wednesday morning-residents said.

Some eyewitnesses told Shabelle that the soldiers with several armed vehicles have headed to the toll-road links between central Somalia regions.

The residents of Jantakunishe area on the outskirt of Beledweyne town have expressed concern over the reports saying that the Ethiopian troops have absconded towards their constituency.

Its yet unknown the motive behind the withdrawal of the Ethiopian troops from Buloburte town although in the recent times there have been deadly battles between the Ethiopian troops in Hiran region and the Islamic courts union fighters.

Somewhere else in what sparked more than 30-minutes gunfight; heavily armed fighters ambushed an Ethiopian army convoy as it drove its way through central Somalia at the weekend, sources said.

Fighters loyal to the Islamic Courts launched a surprise attack on Ethiopian troops, who left Bulo burte town earlier Wednesday, local sources in central region of Hiran reported.

The Ethiopian army contingent was on its way to the outskirt of Beledweyne Town, in Hiran region that fell to the control of Islamists.

However, It was very difficult to ascertain casualty numbers during today's battle, but local sources reported that the fighting included a fierce infantry battle between the two sides.

An Islamist commander who contacted Shabelle to confirm the battle, stating that the fighting had stopped by midday.

He claimed that the Ethiopian soldiers suffered heavy casualties, although his claim could not be independently confirmed.

This is not the first time Ethiopian troops have been attacked in Hiran region. Islamist fighters have raided two towns in Hiran over the past month and launched a deadly ambush against Hiran Governor Yusuf Daboged.

Somalia's interim government, backed by Ethiopian troops, is struggling to reassert central authority after more than 17 years of civil war.

The Islamists have vowed to continue their bloody battles against Ethiopian backed government until Ethiopian troops are forced to withdraw from Somalia and Islamic rule is reinstituted as the law of the land.

Shabelle Media Network