Mogadishu, (insidesomalia.org)- Islamist rebels ambushed an Ethiopian army convoy in Somalia's Lower Shabelle region, Radio Garowe reported Sunday.

At least 8 people, including four Ethiopian soldiers, were killed after the rebels ambushed soldiers on foot.

Three rebels and one villager were also killed during the fighting, witnesses said.

Muse Ibrahim, a villager who fled after the fighting started, told Radio Garowe that the battle started slowly but intensified quickly.

"Ethiopian soldiers who left [the town of] Burhakaba were attacked," Muse said.

The troops were guarding Ethiopian army trucks that left bases in Burhakaba and were reportedly heading towards the capital, Mogadishu.

The ungoverned area etched between Bay region, where Somalia's parliament sits, and neighboring Lower Shabelle region has been the scene of insurgent ambushes at least three times in recent weeks.

Somalia's Islamist rebels have sworn to continue their guerrilla war until Ethiopian troops withdraw from the country.

Thousands of people have been killed during the ongoing insurgency, which is now in its 17th consecutive month.