Ethiopian troops leave a military base in Somalia

Ethiopian troops leave a military base in SomaliaMOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somali National Army (SNA) took over a strategic base from the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF), who have been serving under the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), a peacekeeping mission team in the Horn of Africa nation. SNA’s 43rd Division commander Gen. Mohamed Mohamud, and Security Minister Gen. Yusuf Dhumal were present during the handover, state media reports. "Somali National Armed Forces takes over the Madhamato Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Kismayo from the ATMIS Ethiopian contingent as part of the second phase of the ATMIS troop drawdown," state media reported in a statement. The Somali National Army is assuming security responsibilities as part of a long-term strategy to stabilize the country. The Somali National Army has been fighting the militants alongside the US Africa Command and ATMIS forces.