(SomaliNet) The Ethiopian troops in Balanbale district of Galgadud region in central Somalia were reported on Thursday to have moved towards near Guri-El town. An Ethiopian military official reached Balanbale today. Reports from the area say that a battalion of Ethiopian troops took the road to Guri-El town to speed up efforts to prevent the advancing Islamic courts in the region. Guri-El is a home grown town of the Islamist supreme leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys who conducts military plans to resist against Ethiopian forces who remain in parts of Somalia.
The fear is high over possible confrontation between Ethiopian troops and fighters of Islamic Courts, local official said. The elders of Balanbale district bordering with Ethiopia asked Ethiopian forces to withdraw the area to avoid clashes.
| Almost like the Ethiopians want a fight. |