Landmine explosion kills 12 Ethiopian soldiers in Beledweyne town

Locals said the blast was huge and occurred when a landmine went off as a convoy of the Ethiopian military forces snaked on their way through the district of Beledweyne, just 350 Km north of the capital, Mogadishu, killing 16 people, 12 of them soldiers.

Two of the Ethiopian military vehicles were seriously damaged following the blast.

According to witnesses who spoke to Keydmedia English News said the Ethiopian troops conducted search operations in the area, seizing a number of suspects, many of them local residents, following the attacks. Some were taken to custody.

No immediate comments about the attack were available from the Ethiopian troop officials in Beledweyne town.

No one has so far claimed the responsibility of the attack, but Al-shabab rebels carried out previously such attacks in the town, Since their recent withdrawal from their bases in southern and central Somalia, the Islamist group has resorted to using roadside bombs and hit-and-run attacks terming them as