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Civilians gunned down in Somalia | Civilians gunned down in Somalia |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 12 civilians have been shot dead by Ethiopian troops in an apparent revenge attack in the town of Baidoa, say eyewitnesses. | At least 12 civilians have been shot dead by Ethiopian troops in an apparent revenge attack in the town of Baidoa, say eyewitnesses. |
Reports say the Ethiopians opened fire indiscriminately in a crowded street. Several other people were wounded. | Reports say the Ethiopians opened fire indiscriminately in a crowded street. Several other people were wounded. |
It followed the deaths of two soldiers who were killed by a roadside bomb. | It followed the deaths of two soldiers who were killed by a roadside bomb. |
The Ethiopians intervened in 2006 to help government forces oust Islamists who had taken control of much of southern Somalia. | The Ethiopians intervened in 2006 to help government forces oust Islamists who had taken control of much of southern Somalia. |
It is the second lethal bomb attack this week on Ethiopian soldiers in Baidoa, which is the seat of Somalia's interim parliament. | It is the second lethal bomb attack this week on Ethiopian soldiers in Baidoa, which is the seat of Somalia's interim parliament. |
An Ethiopian officer speaking from the capital, Mogadishu, on condition of anonymity, denied his troops had opened fire, saying the blast had been responsible for the deaths. | An Ethiopian officer speaking from the capital, Mogadishu, on condition of anonymity, denied his troops had opened fire, saying the blast had been responsible for the deaths. |
But eyewitnesses said the troops began firing after the blast. | But eyewitnesses said the troops began firing after the blast. |
"It was a horrific scene blood has been spilt all over and I saw about 10 bodies lying in the middle of the road" Jamal Haji, a resident in Baidoa told the BBC. | "It was a horrific scene blood has been spilt all over and I saw about 10 bodies lying in the middle of the road" Jamal Haji, a resident in Baidoa told the BBC. |
Another witness, Abdurahman Takow, told AFP news agency: "At least 12 people were killed and nine others wounded by fire from Ethiopian soldiers." | Another witness, Abdurahman Takow, told AFP news agency: "At least 12 people were killed and nine others wounded by fire from Ethiopian soldiers." |
Meanwhile, in central Somalia, a regional commander of the transitional government's army was killed in an insurgent attack on his house in the town of Beled Weyne. | Meanwhile, in central Somalia, a regional commander of the transitional government's army was killed in an insurgent attack on his house in the town of Beled Weyne. |
The attacks come as diplomats intensified efforts to get the interim government officials and the opposition alliance, which includes the Islamists, to hold talks. | The attacks come as diplomats intensified efforts to get the interim government officials and the opposition alliance, which includes the Islamists, to hold talks. |
Representatives of the International Contact Group for Somalia led by the US and Norway are meeting in Oslo, where Prime Minister Hassan Nur Hussein and representatives of the Asmara-based alliance are expected. | Representatives of the International Contact Group for Somalia led by the US and Norway are meeting in Oslo, where Prime Minister Hassan Nur Hussein and representatives of the Asmara-based alliance are expected. |
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991 and the UN has warned of a serious humanitarian crisis in the country following a rise in insecurity. |