Battle of Beledweyne (2011)

Battle of Beledweyne
Part of Somali Civil War, War in Somalia (2009-present)
Date December 2011 – 31 December 2011 Location Hiraan Result Ethiopian-TFG Victory Territorial changes Ethiopian forces capture Beledweyne
Belligerents
Al-Shabaab Foreign Mujahideen	Somalia:   Ethiopia
Commanders and leaders
Yusuf Ugas	Ethiopian commanders
Strength
	3,000
Casualties and losses
20 from both sides

In December 2011, Ethiopian forces recaptured the central Somali town of Beledweyne from Al-Shabaab fighters.

The Fighting

al-Shabbab claimed to have repelled three Ethiopian attacks and then made a "tactical withdrawal". Ethiopian-TFG forces easily captured the town; ^[1] however, residents still feared that the al-Shabbab would return and fight for the town. Eyewitnesses claimed both sides used heavy artillery and weapons. ^{[2] [3] [4] [5]}

References

1. "Somali Govt. troops retake key central Somali town". Mareeg.com. 2011-12-31.
2. "News article". Shabelle News . Archived from the original on September 23, 2013.
3. "Govt. troops retake key central Somali town". Shabelle. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
4. Sheikh, Abdi; Omar, Feisal (2011-12-31). "Ethiopia troops attack rebels in Somali town - residents". Reuters . Archived from the original on February 3, 2016. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
5. "Ethiopian troops capture Beledweyne from Somalia militants". BBC News . 2011-12-31. Retrieved 2012-02-17.