ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — The Ethiopian National Defence Force is confirming an ambush by al-Shabab 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-Shabab claim that several Ethiopian troops were killed. The ambush was reported as the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the deadly hotel assault in Nairobi and deadly attacks on forces inside Somalia. The statement does not say exactly when the ambush occurred. The statement says the ambush occurred when the Ethiopian convoy was travelling Burhakaba to Baidoa in Somalia’s southwest.

Source: Ethiopian News January 19, 2019 10:30 UTC