Ethiopia launches air strikes against al-Shabab in Somalia

ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia's air force has carried out air strikes against al-Shabab militants in Somalia's Middle Shabelle Region, Ethiopia's state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate reported on Friday.

The air strikes came after the signing of a security pact between Somalia and Ethiopia last month.

"No air strikes can take place in Somalia without the government's knowledge," Somali Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur was quoted as saying, noting that the Somali defense force was also involved in the operation.

The minister highlighted the growing security cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia, referring to the Ankara Agreement as a framework for their joint efforts against al-Shabab.

The strikes marked Ethiopia's first known aerial operation in the region in recent years, following Somalia's recent approval for Ethiopian forces to join the African Union (AU) Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia.

The Middle Shabelle Region has long been a hotspot for clashes between al-Shabab and government forces backed by AU troops.

Ethiopia's involvement followed a thaw in relations with Somalia after months of tension, cemented by the Ankara Agreement and a military cooperation deal.

Military leaders from the two countries met in the Somali capital of Mogadishu in February, and agreed to strengthen joint operations and support Somalia's security forces in taking full control of the country's territory.