BAIDOA, Somalia, August 1, 2015 (Garowe Online)-Ethiopian jets have started pummeling Al Shabaab positions in Bay region of southern Somalia according to residents and military sources, Garowe Online reports.

Ethiopian-AMISOM forces for the first time flew attack helicopters to dislodge Al Shabaab militants from strategic towns in southwestern Somalia.

On Friday, residents in Bay regional district of Burhakaba reported that strike aircraft flying at low altitude launched strikes on fighting vehicles carrying Al Shabaab militants and dense forests.

Casualties couldn’t be known due to the tight secrecy of beleaguered Al Shabaab group.

Kenyan warplanes previously used aerial bombardment in revenge for cross-border terror attacks.

Ethiopian forces along with Somali government troops liberated key towns in central and southern Somalia.

A week ago, ten civilians died after unknown jets targeted their car with a missile.

Ethiopian troops intervened southern Somalia in December 2006 and withdrew by January, 2009 but returned to Gedo, Hiran, Bay and Bakool border regions in early 2012 in support of Somali government’s stabilization operations. 

GAROWE ONLINE