Somali media outlets, at around January 18 reported that Ethiopian troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM, had been trapped in Baidoa and that casualties had been reported.

Later, reports indicated that the Ethiopian contingent was preparing an ambush on Al-Shabaab. Security watchers believe the aerial attacks of January 24 could be the said response.

The Ethiopian contingent is part of the wider AMISOM operation. The mission is mandated by the African Union Peace and Security Council and authorized by the United Nations Security Council.

Troop contributing countries include Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia. It also has a police force with personnel from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zambia.

The force is a major player in the fight against Al-Shabaab and supporting the Federal Government of Somalia, FGS.