( AlJazeera) - Ethiopian troops have crossed into South Sudan in search of more than 100 children who were kidnapped and spirited across the border in a surprise attack that also killed 208 people.
The attackers, who were armed with machineguns, killed anyone who tried to stop them from taking the children, including women, according to witnesses. They also took more than 2,000 livestock.
"The army has been conducting reconnaissance missions in South Sudan and they have a clear idea of where the children are," Getachew Reda, the information minister, told the AFP news agency.
"We have sought approval of the government of South Sudan to conduct these operations."
Ethiopia began two days of mourning on Wednesday in memory of those who died in the attack, which happened late last week.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said in an address to the nation that Ethiopia was co-operating with the South Sudanese government to take joint measures against the attackers.
On Wednesday, the European Union said it was in touch with South Sudanese authorities to offer help to ensure the immediate return of the children to their families.