Somali Islamist Forces Vow to Fight Ethiopian Troops
21 July 2006
Islamist leaders in control of Somalia's capital are calling on Somalis to defend their country against Ethiopian troops, who are reported to have joined forces with the transitional government.
One of the senior leaders in Mogadishu, Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, denounced Addis Ababa Friday, during a radio broadcast. He said the presence of Ethiopian troops in Somalia amounts to nothing less than an act of aggression against Somalia.
Witness reports Thursday said Ethiopian forces had entered the western town of Baidoa, where the interim government is based.
Addis Ababa and the interim Somali government in Baidoa have denied the reports. But Ethiopia's Information Minister Berhan Hailu said Thursday that Ethiopia is prepared to invade Somalia to defend the interim government.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has urged all sides not to take any actions that could worsen the situation. The United States also have voiced a similar plea.
Islamic militiamen advanced to within 40 kilometers of Baidoa on Wednesday, but witnesses say they pulled back Thursday.
Somalia's transitional government has international backing but little power outside Baidoa. Islamic fighters have seized control of much of southern Somalia in recent weeks after defeating secular warlords in a battle for Mogadishu.
Somalia's Islamic Courts Council has moved to implement a strict version of Islamic (sharia) law in areas under its command.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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