Several hundred Ethiopian soldiers crossed on Saturday into southern and central Somalia, local elders said, but Addis Ababa dismissed the reports as"absolutely not true."
"There are several hundred Ethiopian troops here in lorries and some armored vehicles too," said elder Abdi Ibrahim Warsame, speaking by telephone from Gurel town, in Somalia’s central Galgudud region.
Ethiopian troops were also seen in the Hiiraan region at the town of Beletweyne, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) inside Somalia
"They are here, the Ethiopian soldiers in trucks have reached Beletweyne with many forces," said elder Ahmed Liban. "The Shabaab in the area are pulling back, away from them."
But Ethiopian government dismissed that report.
“It is absolutely not true, there are absolutely no troops in Somalia," said Ethiopian foreign ministry spokesman Dina Mufti. "People are simply speculating."
Small numbers of Ethiopian forces have been reported operating in Somali border regions in the recent moths, but witnesses said this troop movements was this time far larger than before.
"There is an intention on the part of IGAD members to bolster peacekeeping forces, because as you know the regional countries areworking on increasing the numbers of AMISOM," Dina said.
The last time Ethiopian troops invaded Somalia was in 2006 when the goal of the government was to overthrow the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).
First time Ethiopia invaded Somalia was in 2006 with the US backing. It pulled out three years later after failing to restore order and stability in Somalia and leaving behind a bitter history which still remain between Ethiopians and Somalis.
According to some experts, if the Ethiopian incursion confirmed, it will be a big advantage for Al-shabaab and their supporters.
Meanwhile Kenyan troops confirmed that they havekilled 30 Shabaab fighters in southern part of Somalia.
“The relationship between the KDF and the local Somali population has been growing and we are gaining acceptance because of the rapport that has been established, they have confidence in us and are volunteering information, in the coming days more towns will be captured courtesy to the co-operation of the locals,” said Colonel Cyrus Oguna of the Department of Defense,