About 3000 Ethiopian troops who had entered South Sudanese territory around Pochalla left on Sunday, sources told Radio Tamazuj from Pochalla. The forces left the area by 4:00 p.m. local time.

“Yes, the Ethiopian troops have left Pochalla yesterday,” a local source said Monday from Pochalla.

There were no abducted children recovered by the troops in Pochalla counties, according to the source.

“All of them left and no any child was recovered from both counties of Pochalla South and North,” the local source confirmed.

Ethiopia's government has blamed Murle tribesmen of conducting the attack on Gambella region where about 100 children were abducted. Pochalla is not inhabited by the Murle, but neighbors the area where the abducted children are thought to have been taken.

Last week, the commissioner of Pochalla North County told Radio Tamazuj that the troops were likely to stay longer. Ethiopian troops crossed into South Sudan last month in search of the children.