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Somalia: clashes enter fourth day as residents flee
Fri. December 22, 2006 06:41 am. -
(SomaliNet) The all out war between Islamist fighters and Ethiopian backed government troops intensified Friday around Idale town 70km southwest of Baidao city, the base of the transitional federal government.
The fighting in southwest of Somalia enters in fourth day.
There is no immediate detail on the casualties of the latest fighting which forced hundreds of people to flee their homes. Local residents confirmed that the battle is continuing heavier than before with both sides exchanging all sorts of weapons.
There is no effort to mediate between the warring sides.
Salad Ali Jelle, the deputy minister of defense in the TFG, who is now Baidoa said today the government forces are still consolidating their positions killing scores of what he called ‘the terrorist attackers’.
“This morning our forces in Idale area have killed dozens of Islamists and are making advance towards Dinsor town to clear all the terrorists from the country,” Mr. Jelle said while talking to reporters in Baidoa, the temporarily seat of the transitional federal government.
On the government side, Jele said we have lost six soldiers in today’s battle around Idale.
He accused the Islamic Courts Union of being always on offensive to Baidoa city saying the ICU militia will count their last days.
“Since the fighting broke out our forces killed around 700 Islamic militia and wounded others more and we have foiled their terror plan towards Baidoa,” Jele said adding that its forces are now surrounding Dinsor, a small commercial town held by the Islamic Courts 130km southwest of Baidoa.
Medical sources in Dinsor say that dozens of Islamist injures were laid in the hospital.
Islamic courts spokesman claimed that scores of Ethiopian soldiers were killed and Islamist fighters are now making progress to capture Baidao city 240km southwest of Somalia capital Mogadishu.
Sheik Mudey, the head of information departtment of ICU said on Friday that its forces are still gaining the upper hand in both battle frontlines of Idale and Daynuunay.
Ali Mudey also said the fighting would not stop unless Ethiopian troops in Somalia leave. “In yesterday’s war we killed more than 200 Ethiopians and we will show the reporters with us now”, he added.
Unconfirmed reports say that senior Ethiopian military commanders have reached Baidoa on Friday and had close doors meeting with the top government officials over the war.
One of the Ethiopian military officials told the government that they were given orders to continue the fighting till they crush what he called ‘the terrorists in the region’.
Residents in Baidoa confirmed SomaliNet that dozens of Ethiopian tanks moved towards the frontlines to enforce their troops.
In addition, reports say that attack helicopters belonged by Ethiopia government reached Baidoa to join the fighting.
Ethiopia now openly involves in the fighting despite its denial of sending troops to Somalia.
The fighting is continuing in Somalia despite pledge from ICU and interim government to resume talks in Sudan. Islamic Courts Union which now controls much of southern and central Somalia wants engage a bitter fight with the Ethiopians.
News Category: Somalia
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