(SomaliNet) Somalia government troops that are at the frontline with its rival of Islamists around Baidoa city southwest of Somalia are reported on Tuesday to have been put on high alert for possible confrontation with Islamist fighters. Sources from Baidoa city, the seat of transitional federal government indicate that army commanders were ordered to be attentive and prepare their troops for engaging war with Islamic militants. Heavily armed Islamic forces were confirmed to make base in Bur-hakaba town hours after government troops withdrew from there. The Islamists who are have been conducting greater military movements around Bur-hakaba showed their readiness for major battle with government troops allegedly with Ethiopian forces that dug in near Baidoa city. Bur-hakaba, a small town 60km to Baidoa city in southwest of Somalia lies on a key road which links Mogadishu capital to Baidoa city.
Ethiopian government had earlier vowed that they will defend Baidoa city, the base of interim government against any attack from Islamists. Addis Ababa government said it is time to protect the shaky government from the Islamists hardliners who are now advancing towards Baidoa city 240km southwest of Somalia.