Ethiopia begins apparent pullout from Somalia

Mogadishu, January 02, SPA --Dozens of trucks full of Ethiopian
soldiers and their belongings left the Somali capital Mogadishu
today, witnesses said, pointing to the beginning of a promised
military pull-out, according to DPA.

Ethiopian forces invaded in late 2006 to help kick out the Islamic
Courts Union (ICU) - a hardline Islamist regime that was in power for
six months.

Ethiopia in late November announced it would pull out as the
Somali government falls apart amid political infighting, prompting
fears of a power vacuum.

Analysts have been warning that Ethiopia's departure
could lead to a splintering of the groups and further conflict for
the long suffering Somali people.

--SPA