Berdale,(insidesomalia.org)- A column of Ethiopian trucks, more than 10-strong and including armoured cars, have crossed into Bay region blocking several roads to the town on Tuesday according to residents.

Eyewitness Mohamed Atosh has seen Ethiopian troops preventing the civilian vehicles from passing nearby areas while they were heading to Baidoa.

The troops have moved out from Mogadishu to the government’s main base of Baidao town but they have been attacked several ti8mes by armed Islamist before of their way to the city.

The army vehicles including lorries carrying soldiers and armed pick-up trucks known as technicals entered Baidoa’s fences areas.

Resident Nor Adde says their arrival has calmed tensions in the town as residents feared an attack from the Islamist fighters.

The column of military vehicles was reported to have crossed over into Lego overnight and Ethiopian troops have also stationed themselves in areas surrounding the town.

"We have seen Ethiopian soldiers in a convoy," Lego resident Abdirahman told Shbelle.

Ethiopia denies sending troops into the town, but warned it would crush Islamists who had moved to within 60km.

Source: Shabelle Media Network