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Fresh Fighting Erupts Between Govt And Islamist Backers in Bai Region

Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
NEWS
November 21, 2006
Posted to the web November 21, 2006

By Aweys Osman Yusuf
Mogadishu
Fresh clashes between the Somali government forces accompanied by the Ethiopian
troops and pro-Islamist fighters have reportedly occurred in Edale environs in
Bai province, southern Somalia.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that there were heavy casualties of both sides.
The news came as Muktar Robow Abu-Mansor, the Union of Islamic Courts assistant
security chief has told Shabelle Radio Tuesday that two Ethiopian armored
trucks were once again blown up by residential militias in Kansah Omane
environs near Bardale district in Bai province, southern Somalia.
The transitional government was not available for comments over the clashes.
Experts say the fighting that is slowly beginning between the Ethiopian backed
government and the Union of Islamic Courts fighters might escalate into a
bigger war that would trigger an all-out war in a country that was in racial
war for 16 years.
Islamic Courts took control of central and southernmost of Somalia, including
the capital Mogadishu early June this year.
These latest skirmishes lasted hours as the government forces were trying to
hunt down pro-Islamist assailants hiding in the jungle and blowing Ethiopian
vehicles up.


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