Mogadishu: At least 35 people were killed in Somalia in separate clashes between Ethiopian troops and Islamist insurgents, witnesses and officials said today.

Some 23 were killed late yesterday near the village of Garsani, some 300 kilometres north of Mogadishu, when insurgents ambushed an Ethiopian military convoy.

Several witnesses said at least 13 civilians and eight Ethiopian soldiers had been killed in the fighting, while the insurgents admitted to losing two fighters in the battle.

"The fighting was so heavy and our holy warriors with the help of Allah won a huge victory," Sheikh Abdirahin Ise, an Islamist spokesman told AFP.

"In return they (Ethiopians) killed pastoralists who were near the fighting zone," he added.

"I have counted bodies of 13 civilians, including four children," said Ibrahim Adan Moalim, a local resident.

Ethiopian forces yesterday killed at least 12 nomads in Walaweyne, about 90 kilometres east of Mogadishu, bringing the death toll to 35.

"Those nomads were setting up their makeshift camp in Almore village when they were killed by Ethiopia forces who had been ambushed by insurgents on a nearby road," Sheikh Mohamed Addow, another elder.

"The Ethiopians slit throats of some people," he added.

Another elder, Ali Omar confirmed the death toll said the bodies were being prepared for burial.

"So far, the team has collected 12 bodies that are now in the Yakbiriweyne mosque. We will bury them in a mass grave," he told AFP.

Islamists insurgents confirmed they had ambushed the Ethiopians.

Source : PTI