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Somali Islamists battle advance Somali militia abandon stronghold
(about 16 hours later)
Somali Islamist militiamen are fighting Ethiopian and Somali government troops advancing towards their last major stronghold in the port of Kismayo. Somali Islamist militiamen have fled the southern port city of Kismayo - their last major stronghold.
Artillery fire has been reported near the town of Jilib, close to Kismayo. The prime minister said the city was in government hands after the overnight retreat that came without warning.
Ethiopian fighter jets have also been flying low over Kismayo, reports say. Residents have been fleeing the area. It follows clashes in nearby Jilib between Islamists and Ethiopian troops supporting the transitional government, which is trying to assert its power.
The Islamist militia has vowed to resist the Ethiopian and Somali government troops who forced them out of the capital on Thursday. Thousands of civilians have fled the area, and local aid workers say many are in dire need of food and shelter.
Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has said his forces are "ready to fight the enemy of Allah" and had only left the capital, Mogadishu "to prevent bloodshed". "Kismayo is already in the hands of the government. The Islamists have run away... the airport and the seaport are free. There are still some mopping up operations," Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi told AFP news agency.
Some 3,000 Islamist fighters are believed to be in Kismayo, some 300 km (185 miles) south-east of Mogadishu, towards the Kenyan border. He said the death toll was "not available yet but there are no big casualties".
Ethiopian artillery and troops officially entered Somalia, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
Border reinforced
Clashes are being reported in several towns near Jilib.
"Fighting has started," a resident of the town of Bulobaley told Reuters news agency. "Several mortars and rockets have hit the town."
Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures
"Most of the mortars and rockets that have hit the town have fallen on deserted houses. I don't know if there are any wounded," the resident, who did not wish to be named, said. Some 3,000 Islamist fighters were believed to be in Kismayo, about 300km (185 miles) south-east of the capital, Mogadishu.
Thousands of civilians in the area around Jilib have been fleeing their homes in anticipation of heavy fighting. Their retreat follows fierce fighting with Ethiopian troops around Jilib, 100km north of Kismayo.
The BBC's Peter Biles says Jilib is a gateway to the south of the country and the Islamist militia are likely to use the town to block any further advance. Somalia's interim government vowed on Monday to pursue the Islamists. However, reports say Ethiopian forces are advancing cautiously, fearing mines and booby traps.
He says the Islamists could find themselves trapped between Kismayo and the Kenyan border. The militias are reportedly retreating south towards the border with Kenya, where security has been re-enforced on the Kenyan side in an effort to prevent them from crossing over.
Kenya has re-enforced security along its border in an effort to prevent Islamist militiamen from crossing over. On Sunday Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki announced he was calling a summit of East African countries to discuss the situation.
Ethiopian artillery and troops officially entered Somalia, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa.
Food shortagesFood shortages
The Islamists earlier vowed to resist the Ethiopian and Somali government troops who forced them out of the capital on Thursday.
Ethiopian aircraft and artillery are backing Somalia's governmentIslamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed said his forces were "ready to fight the enemy of Allah" and had only left Mogadishu "to prevent bloodshed".
Somalia's interim government has called for talks with the Islamists.Somalia's interim government has called for talks with the Islamists.
However, the Islamists say they will not enter any dialogue unless Ethiopian forces vacate the country.However, the Islamists say they will not enter any dialogue unless Ethiopian forces vacate the country.
Ethiopia accuses the Islamist militia of harbouring terrorists.Ethiopia accuses the Islamist militia of harbouring terrorists.
The militia has its origins in a Union of Islamic Courts, known as the UIC, that was established to restore order in Mogadishu.The militia has its origins in a Union of Islamic Courts, known as the UIC, that was established to restore order in Mogadishu.
The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of southern Somalia.The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of southern Somalia.
Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
Almost all Somalis are Muslim, and after years of lawlessness many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.Almost all Somalis are Muslim, and after years of lawlessness many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC.
Much of Somalia faces food shortages because of recent heavy floods.Much of Somalia faces food shortages because of recent heavy floods.
The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high.