Somalia - Several hundred Ethiopian troops with armed vehicles have crossed into southern and central Somalia, according to reports by local elders.

"There are several hundred Ethiopian troops here in lorries and some armored vehicles too," elder Abdi Ibrahim Warsame told AFP from Gurel town, in central Galgudud region, on Saturday.

Other reports also said Ethiopian forces are deployed in the Hiran region of Beletweyne, some 30 km (18 miles) into Somalia.

"They are here, the Ethiopian soldiers in trucks have reached Beletweyne with many forces," elder Ahmed Liban said.

However, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti dismissed the reports.

"It is absolutely not true, there are absolutely no troops in Somalia," Mufti said. "People are simply speculating."

In 2006, Ethiopia attacked Somalia with US backing. It pulled out three years later after failing to restore order in Somalia.

Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.

AGB/HGH

Source: Press TV