Somali Militants Gather, Recruit At Border Town

Published January 2, 2012 12:00PM (EST)

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Residents in a Somalia border town invaded by Ethiopian troops over the weekend say that they welcome the presence of Ethiopia's military because it has forced al-Shabab militants out of the town.

But a resident said Monday that militants appear to be massing hundreds of fighters outside Beledweyne and were attempting to recruit new fighters from surrounding villages.

Hundreds of Ethiopian troops moved into Beledweyne on Saturday, opening a third front against al-Shabab militants, who also face Kenyan troops in Somalia's south and African Union troops in the capital, Mogadishu.


By Salon Staff

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