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Somali clashes resume after deal Somalia 'is at war' with Ethiopia
(about 3 hours later)
Fighting has resumed in Somalia for a second day between fighters loyal to the weak transitional government and advancing Islamist militias. The leader of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which controls much of Somalia, says the country is in a state of war with Ethiopia.
Heavy artillery and mortar fire could be heard close to the base of the interim administration in Baidoa. "All Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia," Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said from Mogadishu.
Both sides agreed to a ceasefire and to unconditional talks on Wednesday after meetings with a European Union envoy. Heavy fighting for a second day is some 20km from the government's Baidoa base. There are fears conflict could plunge the entire Horn of Africa into crisis.
Local media report bodies strewn along streets. Both sides claim to have killed and wounded dozens of fighters. Local residents say Ethiopians troops are clashing with Islamist militias.
The leader of Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) said in the capital, Mogadishu, that the country was in a state of war.
"All Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia," Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys told AP news agency.
See map of flashpoints See map of flashpoints
Clashes Ethiopia denies its forces are battling the advancing Islamists militias.
Louis Michel pressed both sides to resume negotiations
The two countries have a long history of troubled relations, and Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa.
Both the Islamist and interim government agreed to a ceasefire and to unconditional talks on Wednesday after meetings with a European Union envoy.
But there has been no let up on the ground, with heavy artillery and mortar fire heard in Daynunay, where the government has a military base.
Local media report bodies strewn along streets. Both sides claim to have killed and wounded dozens of fighters.
Talks
Somalia's Deputy Defence Minister Salad Ali Jelle told reporters in Baidoa that 71 Islamic fighters had been killed and 221 injured so far during clashes in three locations.Somalia's Deputy Defence Minister Salad Ali Jelle told reporters in Baidoa that 71 Islamic fighters had been killed and 221 injured so far during clashes in three locations.
Islamic militias have attacked us and the fighting is continuing Salad Ali JelleDeputy Defence Minister Q&A: Islamist advance Peacekeeping conundrum Q&A: Islamist advance Peacekeeping conundrum href="/1/hi/world/africa/6159735.stm" class="">Timeline: Ethiopia v Somalia
But in Mogadishu, UIC official Sheik Mohamud Ibrahim Suley claimed his fighters had killed 70 fighters, mainly Ethiopian troops.But in Mogadishu, UIC official Sheik Mohamud Ibrahim Suley claimed his fighters had killed 70 fighters, mainly Ethiopian troops.
Neither claim can be independently verified.Neither claim can be independently verified.
The BBC's reporter in Mogadishu, Mohammed Olad Hassan, says he hears from residents that pro-government forces and the Islamic militia are again exchanging mortar fire at Daynunay, 20km (12 miles) from Baidoa.
Local residents say Ethiopian troops are involved in the clashes in support of government forces, thought this is denied by the government, he says.
Our reporter says Somalis are unhappy and concerned about the clashes. There are fears that the conflict could plunge the entire Horn of Africa into crisis.
Talks
After talks in Baidoa, EU envoy Louis Michel travelled on to Mogadishu, where he met UIC leaders.After talks in Baidoa, EU envoy Louis Michel travelled on to Mogadishu, where he met UIC leaders.
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He then announced both parties had agreed to resume efforts to find a negotiated settlement of their differences.He then announced both parties had agreed to resume efforts to find a negotiated settlement of their differences.
A nine-point memorandum of understanding included agreement to begin talks again without preconditions, he said.A nine-point memorandum of understanding included agreement to begin talks again without preconditions, he said.
The UIC set aside a demand that Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia as a precondition for talks, Mr Michel added, although it remained a major grievance.The UIC set aside a demand that Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia as a precondition for talks, Mr Michel added, although it remained a major grievance.
The government is getting military help from Ethiopia name="gobackform">
Translating these verbal and written commitments into action will be the next big test, our correspondent says.
Mr Michel has urged both sides to begin talks as soon as possible, at the latest early in January.Mr Michel has urged both sides to begin talks as soon as possible, at the latest early in January.
Are you near Baidoa? Send us your experiences
Both sides have blamed each other for the fighting.Both sides have blamed each other for the fighting.
The UIC has introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 15 years and denies links to al-Qaeda.The UIC has introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 15 years and denies links to al-Qaeda.
Ethiopia says it has no troops in Somalia, but our correspondent says that as he drove to the airport in Baidoa, he was stopped by a huge convoy of Ethiopian military armour. Ethiopia has admitted to having some military trainers in Somalia, but our correspondent says that as he drove to the airport in Baidoa on Wednesday, he was stopped by a huge convoy of Ethiopian military armour.
The United Nations estimates as many as 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country backing the government while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group.The United Nations estimates as many as 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country backing the government while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group.
Other countries are thought to have become involved in arming both sides.Other countries are thought to have become involved in arming both sides.
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Are you or anyone you know near Baidoa? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below.Are you or anyone you know near Baidoa? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below.
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