The Ethiopian National Defence Force is confirming an ambush by al-Shabaab extremists on an Ethiopian peacekeeping convoy in neighbouring Somalia and says Ethiopian forces are preparing a "massive offensive" in response. A statement on Saturday rejects reports and an al-Shabaab claim that several Ethiopian troops were killed. The ambush was reported as the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the deadly hotel assault in Nairobi and deadly attacks on forces inside Somalia. In late October, al-Shabab claimed killing 30 Ethiopian troops inside Somalia. Weeks before that, Ethiopian state media outlets reported that the Ethiopian Air Force killed 70 al-Shabaab members after the extremist group tried to attack Ethiopian forces.

Source: Ethiopian News January 19, 2019 12:00 UTC