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| Somali militia 'made to retreat' | Somali militia 'made to retreat' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Somalia's Islamist militia are reported to have withdrawn from frontlines after a sustained assault by government forces backed by Ethiopian troops. | Somalia's Islamist militia are reported to have withdrawn from frontlines after a sustained assault by government forces backed by Ethiopian troops. |
| Ethiopian jets fired at Islamist positions for a third day on Tuesday. | Ethiopian jets fired at Islamist positions for a third day on Tuesday. |
| The Union of Islamic Courts described its pullout as a change of tactics in what it vowed would be a long war. | The Union of Islamic Courts described its pullout as a change of tactics in what it vowed would be a long war. |
| Fighting between the Ethiopian-backed interim government and the UIC flared last week. The Red Cross is treating more than 600 civilians and combatants. | Fighting between the Ethiopian-backed interim government and the UIC flared last week. The Red Cross is treating more than 600 civilians and combatants. |
| It has called on all sides to respect the rights of the injured and prisoners. | It has called on all sides to respect the rights of the injured and prisoners. |
| Earlier on Tuesday, the African Union said Ethiopia had the right to intervene militarily in Somalia as it felt threatened by the Islamic militia operating there. | Earlier on Tuesday, the African Union said Ethiopia had the right to intervene militarily in Somalia as it felt threatened by the Islamic militia operating there. |
| An official also acknowledged the African Union had failed to "react properly and adequately" to the Somali situation. | An official also acknowledged the African Union had failed to "react properly and adequately" to the Somali situation. |
| 'New phase' | 'New phase' |
| The town of Burhakaba, one of the Islamists' main bases, is reported to have fallen to forces loyal to Somalia's interim government. | The town of Burhakaba, one of the Islamists' main bases, is reported to have fallen to forces loyal to Somalia's interim government. |
| Since Ethiopia started using air power and heavy artillery, we have changed our tactics and are getting ready for a long war Sheikh Sharif AhmedIslamic Courts leader href="/1/hi/world/africa/6209583.stm" class="">African Union's Somali test href="/1/hi/world/africa/6208759.stm" class="">Tough task for Ethiopia | |
| In recent days, the area around the town - which is close to Baidoa, the government's HQ - has been the focus of heavy fighting involving tanks and artillery. | In recent days, the area around the town - which is close to Baidoa, the government's HQ - has been the focus of heavy fighting involving tanks and artillery. |
| As UIC fighters retreated on Tuesday, they came under fire from Ethiopian jets. | As UIC fighters retreated on Tuesday, they came under fire from Ethiopian jets. |
| Islamist fighters are also reported to have withdrawn from other areas in central and southern Somalia. | Islamist fighters are also reported to have withdrawn from other areas in central and southern Somalia. |
| "The Islamic Courts troops are retreating, some all the way to [the capital] Mogadishu," government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying. | "The Islamic Courts troops are retreating, some all the way to [the capital] Mogadishu," government spokesman Abdirahman Dinari was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying. |
| But UIC leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told reporters in Mogadishu that the retreat merely signalled a new phase in the war. | But UIC leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed told reporters in Mogadishu that the retreat merely signalled a new phase in the war. |
| "Since Ethiopia started using air power and heavy artillery, we have changed our tactics and are getting ready for a long war," he said. | "Since Ethiopia started using air power and heavy artillery, we have changed our tactics and are getting ready for a long war," he said. |
| On Sunday, Ethiopia admitted for the first time its troops were fighting in the country, saying it was forced to defend its sovereignty against "terrorists" and anti-Ethiopians. | On Sunday, Ethiopia admitted for the first time its troops were fighting in the country, saying it was forced to defend its sovereignty against "terrorists" and anti-Ethiopians. |
| The UN estimates at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be supporting the transitional government. | The UN estimates at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be supporting the transitional government. |
| Stabilisation force | Stabilisation force |
| Patrick Mazimhaka, the deputy chairman of the AU's Commission, told the BBC the African Union would not criticise Ethiopia as it had "given us ample warning that it feels threatened by the UIC". | Patrick Mazimhaka, the deputy chairman of the AU's Commission, told the BBC the African Union would not criticise Ethiopia as it had "given us ample warning that it feels threatened by the UIC". |
| He added: "It is up to every country to judge the measure of the threat to its own sovereignty." | He added: "It is up to every country to judge the measure of the threat to its own sovereignty." |
| Mr Mazimhaka said the international community had a responsibility to support the transitional government. | Mr Mazimhaka said the international community had a responsibility to support the transitional government. |
| The African Union would meet in two days to discuss the situation, he said. | The African Union would meet in two days to discuss the situation, he said. |
| "The African Union must plan to get a force to intercede and stabilise the situation," Mr Mazimhaka said. | "The African Union must plan to get a force to intercede and stabilise the situation," Mr Mazimhaka said. |
| Are you or anyone you know near conflict zone? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below. | Are you or anyone you know near conflict zone? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below. |