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Somali troops hold strategic town Somali troops hold strategic town
(10 minutes later)
Somali government forces backed by Ethiopians troops have taken the town of Jowhar in central Somalia, forcing back Islamist militiamen. Somali government forces backed by Ethiopian troops have taken the town of Jowhar in central Somalia, forcing back Islamist militiamen.
Troops carried out a dawn attack on the strategic town - just north of the capital controlled by the Islamists.Troops carried out a dawn attack on the strategic town - just north of the capital controlled by the Islamists.
At the weekend Ethiopia began a large-scale offensive against the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which held much of central and southern Somalia.At the weekend Ethiopia began a large-scale offensive against the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which held much of central and southern Somalia.
Leaders of the militia have admitted pulling out of many towns.Leaders of the militia have admitted pulling out of many towns.
On Tuesday Ethiopia said it had repelled the militia from the seat of Somalia's transitional government in Baidoa - but the UIC said the pull-out was tactical and the group was "getting ready for a long war".On Tuesday Ethiopia said it had repelled the militia from the seat of Somalia's transitional government in Baidoa - but the UIC said the pull-out was tactical and the group was "getting ready for a long war".
The fighting between the Ethiopian-backed interim government and the UIC resumed last week.The fighting between the Ethiopian-backed interim government and the UIC resumed last week.
In the latest violence on Wednesday, government forces and Ethiopian armoured vehicles attacked Jowhar, which lies 90km (55 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu and was formerly controlled by the UIC.In the latest violence on Wednesday, government forces and Ethiopian armoured vehicles attacked Jowhar, which lies 90km (55 miles) north of the capital Mogadishu and was formerly controlled by the UIC.
Hundreds of people have been fleeing the town, the Associated Press news agency reported.Hundreds of people have been fleeing the town, the Associated Press news agency reported.
"We do not know where to escape, we are already suffering from floods, hunger and disease," resident Abdale Haji Ali told AP. "We are awaiting death.""We do not know where to escape, we are already suffering from floods, hunger and disease," resident Abdale Haji Ali told AP. "We are awaiting death."
Both sides claim to have inflicted hundreds of casualties. The Red Cross has reported more than 850 injured people at hospitals it supports.Both sides claim to have inflicted hundreds of casualties. The Red Cross has reported more than 850 injured people at hospitals it supports.
International divisionsInternational divisions
The UN's World Food Programme has suspended air drops into southern Somalia because of the fighting.The UN's World Food Programme has suspended air drops into southern Somalia because of the fighting.
The Security Council, which has been debating the Somalia conflict, is due to resume discussions later on Wednesday.The Security Council, which has been debating the Somalia conflict, is due to resume discussions later on Wednesday.
Splits have emerged on the council with Qatar insisting that any statement should call for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, including Ethiopia's, from Somalia.Splits have emerged on the council with Qatar insisting that any statement should call for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, including Ethiopia's, from Somalia.
Other council members say that this should not apply to Ethiopian troops, arguing that they are in Somalia at the request of the interim government.Other council members say that this should not apply to Ethiopian troops, arguing that they are in Somalia at the request of the interim government.
On Tuesday, UN envoy Francois Lonseny Fall warned the Security Council that failure to reach a political settlement could lead to a conflict that could "have serious consequences for the entire region".On Tuesday, UN envoy Francois Lonseny Fall warned the Security Council that failure to reach a political settlement could lead to a conflict that could "have serious consequences for the entire region".
The UIC - who seized control of the capital six months ago - have introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 16 years.The UIC - who seized control of the capital six months ago - have introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 16 years.
But other countries accuse the UIC of links to al-Qaeda, charges it denies.But other countries accuse the UIC of links to al-Qaeda, charges it denies.
Somalia and Ethiopia - a mainly Christian nation - have a history of troubled relations, and Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa.Somalia and Ethiopia - a mainly Christian nation - have a history of troubled relations, and Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa.


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