Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 1:01am
Somali Islamists fight advance
Somali Islamist militiamen are fighting Ethiopian and government troops advancing towards their last major stronghold in the port of Kismayo. Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said his forces are "ready to fight the enemy of Allah" and had only left the capital, Mogadishu, on Thursday "to prevent bloodshed."
Artillery fire was reported near the neighboring town of Jilib and Ethiopian jets have also been reported flying low over Kismayo. Residents are fleeing the area in anticipation of heavy fighting, BBCNews Online reported Sunday.
Clashes were reported in several towns near Jilib. "Fighting has started," a resident of the town of Bulobaley told Reuters news agency. "Several mortars and rockets have hit the town."
The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said "Most of the mortars and rockets that have hit the town have fallen on deserted houses. I don't know if there are any wounded."
About 3,000 Islamist fighters are believed to be in Kismayo, about 185 miles south-east of Mogadishu near the Kenyan border.
Ethiopian artillery and troops entered Somalia in support of fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
The BBC's Peter Biles says Jilib is a gateway to the south and the Islamist militia will probably use the town to block further advances. Islamists could find themselves trapped between Kismayo and the Kenyan border, he said. Kenya has tightened border security to prevent Islamist militiamen from crossing over.
Somalia's government has called for talks with the Islamists, but the Islamists say they will not talk until Ethiopian forces leave. Ethiopia accuses the Islamists of harboring terrorists.
The militia grew out of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) established to restore order in Mogadishu. The UIC took control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and extending its influence to much of the south.
Some analysts say the UIC was popular due to its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have torn Somalia since the 1991 overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre. Most Somalis are Muslim, and many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.
Much of Somalia now faces food shortages due to heavy floods. The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.
Artillery fire was reported near the neighboring town of Jilib and Ethiopian jets have also been reported flying low over Kismayo. Residents are fleeing the area in anticipation of heavy fighting, BBCNews Online reported Sunday.
Clashes were reported in several towns near Jilib. "Fighting has started," a resident of the town of Bulobaley told Reuters news agency. "Several mortars and rockets have hit the town."
The resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said "Most of the mortars and rockets that have hit the town have fallen on deserted houses. I don't know if there are any wounded."
About 3,000 Islamist fighters are believed to be in Kismayo, about 185 miles south-east of Mogadishu near the Kenyan border.
Ethiopian artillery and troops entered Somalia in support of fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
The BBC's Peter Biles says Jilib is a gateway to the south and the Islamist militia will probably use the town to block further advances. Islamists could find themselves trapped between Kismayo and the Kenyan border, he said. Kenya has tightened border security to prevent Islamist militiamen from crossing over.
Somalia's government has called for talks with the Islamists, but the Islamists say they will not talk until Ethiopian forces leave. Ethiopia accuses the Islamists of harboring terrorists.
The militia grew out of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) established to restore order in Mogadishu. The UIC took control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and extending its influence to much of the south.
Some analysts say the UIC was popular due to its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have torn Somalia since the 1991 overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre. Most Somalis are Muslim, and many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.
Much of Somalia now faces food shortages due to heavy floods. The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.