Somali-trained soldiers held in Ethiopia as officials work on return process

Jigjiga (HOL) — Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State has confirmed for the first time that troops trained by Somalia’s federal government entered Ethiopia and are being processed through official bilateral procedures.

Somali Region security chief Abdulkadir Rashid Duale said Monday that the troops recently arrived in Jigjiga after crossing the Somalia-Ethiopia border.

Duale said the troops did not initially cross into Ethiopia with a clearly defined purpose, but efforts are underway to ensure the matter is handled in accordance with the laws and procedures of both Somalia and Ethiopia.

“The matter is being handled by legal and diplomatic bodies from both Somalia and Ethiopia, who are working toward a formal resolution,” Duale said.

He added that verified information on the situation would be shared with the public and warned against spreading unverified reports that could cause confusion.

The troops had recently been stationed in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State but have now been moved to Dire Dawa, according to available information.

Reports indicate that Somali and Ethiopian leaders have discussed the status of the troops, including the possibility that they could be airlifted back to Somalia.

The soldiers were part of thousands of recruits trained this year in Somalia’s Galgaduud region. The federal government had said the forces were intended to fight al-Shabab.

After completing their training, hundreds of the soldiers reportedly crossed into Ethiopia, allegedly taking with them weapons issued by the Somali government.