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| Africa Horn |
| Witnesses: Islamic fighters hit Ethiopian army |
| 2006-11-20 |
| Islamic fighters ambushed an Ethiopian military convoy Sunday, eyewitnesses said, in the first skirmish between the rival forces maneuvering for control in Somalia. Two Ethiopian trucks were destroyed by land mines before Islamic fighters opened fire on the convoy, which eyewitnesses told The Associated Press was made up of more than 80 vehicles and headed for the Somali government town of Baidoa, 150 miles west of the capital, Mogadishu. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the fighting. Government officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media confirmed a skirmish had taken place but said they had no details. Islamic and Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment. The attack occurred near the town of Bardaleh, 50 miles southwest of Baidoa. "There were two explosions and then a large exchange of gunfire," said one eyewitness on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Around 50 Islamic fighters were involved, the eyewitness added. "We saw Ethiopian soldiers in defensive positions and two trucks overturned." Several hours after the skirmish, the Ethiopian convoy arrived in Baidoa, eyewitnesses said. Large numbers of Ethiopian infantry were aboard buses as the convoy pulled into town, witnesses said. ... A confidential U.N. report obtained last month by the AP said 6,000-8,000 Ethiopian troops are in or near Somalia's border with Ethiopia, backing the interim government. The report also said 2,000 troops from Eritrea are inside Somalia supporting the Islamic movement. |
| Posted by:ed |
| #1 time for a friendly Spooky run |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-11-20 19:39 |