(Garowe Online) — Islamist rebels ambushed an Ethiopian Woyanne army convoy in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region, Radio Garowe reported Sunday.

At least 8 people, including four Ethiopian Woyanne soldiers, were killed after the rebels ambushed soldiers on foot.

Three rebels and one villager were also killed during the fighting, witnesses said.

Muse Ibrahim, a villager who fled after the fighting started, told Radio Garowe that the battle started slowly but intensified quickly.

“Ethiopian Woyanne soldiers who left [the town of] Burhakaba were attacked,” Muse said.

The troops were guarding Ethiopian Woyanne army trucks that left bases in Burhakaba and were reportedly heading towards the capital, Mogadishu.

The ungoverned area etched between Bay region, where Somalia’s parliament sits, and neighboring Lower Shabelle region has been the scene of insurgent ambushes at least three times in recent weeks.