This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6162199.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Heavy fighting' in Somali town 'Heavy fighting' in Somali town
(10 minutes later)
Somali government fighters, backed up by Ethiopian troops, have attacked Islamist positions sparking heavy fighting, an Islamist leader says.Somali government fighters, backed up by Ethiopian troops, have attacked Islamist positions sparking heavy fighting, an Islamist leader says.
The unconfirmed clashes have occurred in Dinsoor, 110 kilometres (70 miles) south of government base Baidoa. The clashes have occurred in Dinsoor, 110 kilometres (70 miles) south-west of government base Baidoa.
Islamist leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed called on all Somalis to "stand up and defeat the enemies".Islamist leader Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed called on all Somalis to "stand up and defeat the enemies".
The reports of fighting come just two days after the UN approved plans to send peacekeepers to Somalia. The fighting come two days after the UN approved plans to send peacekeepers to Somalia - which the Islamists reject.
The African force would protect Baidoa, the only town the government controls, but has been rejected by the Islamists. If the Ethiopian involvement is confirmed, it would be the first time that Islamist and Ethiopian troops have come into direct contact.
Observers fear a regional conflict breaking out in Somalia, with rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea backing opposing sides. Observers have long feared a regional conflict breaking out in Somalia, with rivals Ethiopia and Eritrea backing opposing sides.
'Many deaths''Many deaths'
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the capital, Mogadishu, says it has not been possible to verify the reports of fighting because telecommunications to Dinsoor have been cut off. Deputy Defence Minister Salat Ali Jelle confirmed the fighting to the BBC but denied that Ethiopian troops were involved.
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the capital, Mogadishu, says local villagers report seeing Ethiopian troops.
Why does the UN want to go in now that the Islamists have done a better job than the UN would ever have done? rocktapper, London Send your comments Peacekeeping conundrumWhy does the UN want to go in now that the Islamists have done a better job than the UN would ever have done? rocktapper, London Send your comments Peacekeeping conundrum
He says telecommunications to Dinsoor have been cut off.
An Islamist commander in the area, Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal, told the AFP news agency: "I don't have the exact toll, but I am told many people have died."An Islamist commander in the area, Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal, told the AFP news agency: "I don't have the exact toll, but I am told many people have died."
Mr Ahmed said the attack had been repelled.Mr Ahmed said the attack had been repelled.
"Our forces have been raided by Ethiopian troops, so people get up and fight against the Ethiopians," he said after Muslim Friday prayers in Mogadishu."Our forces have been raided by Ethiopian troops, so people get up and fight against the Ethiopians," he said after Muslim Friday prayers in Mogadishu.
Ethiopia has denied repeated claims that its troops are fighting alongside government militia but admits to having hundreds of military trainers in Baidoa. Ethiopia has denied repeated claims that its troops are fighting alongside government militia but admits to having hundreds of military trainers in Baidoa, the only town the government controls.
The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has taken control of most of southern Somalia since taking Mogadishu in June.The Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) has taken control of most of southern Somalia since taking Mogadishu in June.
On Thursday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said African nations who will contribute to the proposed force should persuade the UIC that it would not be an "invasion force".On Thursday, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said African nations who will contribute to the proposed force should persuade the UIC that it would not be an "invasion force".
"It is important that we get the Somalis to understand that the force is coming in to help," he said."It is important that we get the Somalis to understand that the force is coming in to help," he said.
The resolution also said the international arms embargo on Somalia should be eased to help the government re-arm. The resolution proposes sending an African protection force to Baidoa and easing an international arms embargo on Somalia to help the government re-arm.
The US-led resolution, adopted unanimously by the 15-nation Security Council, said Somalia's transitional government represented "the only route to achieving peace and stability" in the country, which has been without effective central government since 1991. The US-led resolution, adopted unanimously by the 15-nation Security Council, said the government represented "the only route to achieving peace and stability" in Somalia, which has been without effective central government since 1991.
The Islamists also accuse Ethiopia of shelled the town of Bandiradley, 630 kilometres (390 miles) north-east of the capital, Mogadishu, which is the most northern town they control. The Islamists have also accused Ethiopia of shelling the town of Bandiradley, 630 kilometres (390 miles) north-east of the capital, Mogadishu, which is the most northern town they control.
One pro-government fighter was reportedly killed in the clashes.One pro-government fighter was reportedly killed in the clashes.
'Front-line states''Front-line states'
Ethiopia and other states which border Somalia were excluded from contributing to the proposed African peace force.Ethiopia and other states which border Somalia were excluded from contributing to the proposed African peace force.
Ethiopia has twice fought wars with Somalia.Ethiopia has twice fought wars with Somalia.
Both government and Islamist forces have been preparing for warBoth government and Islamist forces have been preparing for war
Despite the exclusion of the "front-line states" the UIC still reject the idea of foreign peacekeepers, saying Islamic laws have already brought stability to areas they control.Despite the exclusion of the "front-line states" the UIC still reject the idea of foreign peacekeepers, saying Islamic laws have already brought stability to areas they control.
"Deploying foreign forces to Somalia is seen as invading forces and the Somali people are prepared to defend themselves against aggression," Union of Islamic Courts official Ibrahim Adow told the BBC's Network Africa programme on Thursday."Deploying foreign forces to Somalia is seen as invading forces and the Somali people are prepared to defend themselves against aggression," Union of Islamic Courts official Ibrahim Adow told the BBC's Network Africa programme on Thursday.
However, observers believe it will be a long time before any peacekeepers arrive and say the UN resolution may be primarily intended to show symbolic support for the government.However, observers believe it will be a long time before any peacekeepers arrive and say the UN resolution may be primarily intended to show symbolic support for the government.
The East African body, Igad, which is supposed to supply the troops is understood to be split over the idea.The East African body, Igad, which is supposed to supply the troops is understood to be split over the idea.
Somalia's government has welcomed the resolution.Somalia's government has welcomed the resolution.
The government and the UIC are due to hold peace talks in Sudan next week.The government and the UIC are due to hold peace talks in Sudan next week.
The US, Ethiopia and the Somali government also fear the Islamists are offering shelter to al-Qaeda operatives, a charge they deny.The US, Ethiopia and the Somali government also fear the Islamists are offering shelter to al-Qaeda operatives, a charge they deny.
A recent UN report accused several countries, including Ethiopia and Eritrea, of breaking the international arms embargo. A recent UN report accused several countries, including Ethiopia and Eritrea, of breaking the weapons ban.