Ethiopian troops stand guard over the town of Baidoa in southern Somalia.br br The soldiers just hours before wrested control of this area from Islamist militants - part of an international effort to bring some stability to the war-ravaged country.br br The loss of Baidoa is seen as a major blow for the al Qaeda-backed al Shabaab rebel group, which once controlled large swaths of the country.br br This Ethiopian general said the rebels put up little resistance.br br Baidoa was an important stronghold of al-Shabaab, which has come under intense pressure from Somalia's neighbours.br br In addition to Ethiopia, Kenya has opened up a front against the Islamist group as have peacekeepers from the African Union.br br Andrew Raven, Reuters.