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Somalia: Islamists retake Burhakaba town after hours of government occupation
Mon. October 09, 2006 07:19 am. -
Mohamed Abdi Farah
Sheik Indha Adde |
(SomaliNet) Dozens of government troops with allegedly Ethiopians retreated on Monday from Burhabka town in Bay region, southwest of Somalia after several hours of seizing control of that town from Islamists with no war.
Islamic forces with two battle wagons and large number of local militia are reported to have went back Burhabaka, some 180 km southwest of the Somalia capital Mogadishu.
The retreat of the government troops there came after local elders pressured them to withdraw from the town to avoid more bloodshed.
The Islamist group in Mogadishu declared on Monday a holy war against Ethiopia troops that crossed into Somalia after hours of intensive security meeting in the capital.
Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, the leader of executive council of Islamic Courts dressed in military uniform made the statement in Mogadishu after holding news conference in former presidential palace of Villa Somalia.
“I am telling all Somalis to spare no efforts to engage holy war against enemy Ethiopian troops,” he said accusing the government in Baidoa of leading the country in occupation.
It is for the first time see Sheik Ahmed dressed in Military uniform in public. He appeared to be ready for war.
Sheik Yusuf Mohamed Siad known as ‘Inda-ade’ means ‘white eyes’, the chief security of Islamic Courts also told the reporters that world should press Ethiopia to withdraw its troops from Somalia otherwise things would go worse.
“We see what Ethiopia conducts in our country is clearly war provocation and we will face Ethiopia in the battle field,” he said.
Islamic Courts continue wider preparation of engaging war with Ethiopia troops and it is more likely that Islamist group launch an attack on Baidoa city if the tension gets high.
Earlier today, around 200 Ethiopian troops with militia of Somali interim government are reported to have seized on Monday control of Burhakaba town, some 180km southwest of the capital Mogadishu and moved towards the city.
“Government army officials with Ethiopian officers have arrived at Burhakaba early this morning and had argent meeting with town’s local elders not know what they had talked with them,” local residents said adding that they could see heavily armed Ethiopian and Baidoa based government troops passing the town towards Mogadishu city.
Other sources say the people in Burhakaba spotted five Russia made Ethiopian cars in the town with Somali army commanders.
Elders in Burhakaba town which is between Baidoa and Mogadishu cities asked the Ethiopians to withdraw from their settlement saying they would trigger clashes with Islamic Courts if they don’t return back.
The ruler of Burhakaba town, Mohamed Abdi Hussein Awkarey who met with the government officials from Baidoa denied the arrival of Ethiopian troops in Burhakaba.
He said he met with Col. Saed Dhere, the commander the government troops armed with 30 battle wagons discussing over insecurity on the road links Burhabaka with Baidoa.
News Category: Somalia
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