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Islamists will 'defend' Somalia Somali Islamists in war warning
(about 4 hours later)
The Islamist militia that has seized much of Somalia has said it will defend the country from Ethiopian forces it says are in the country. The Islamist group that has seized much of Somalia has said Ethiopia has declared war by sending its troops to help the interim government.
An official from the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) told the BBC they "have no other option but to defend ourselves". Ethiopia supports the weak government but denies sending troops to help them against the Union of Islamic Courts.
Ethiopia supports the Somali transition government but has denied reports that its troops are in Somalia. On Sunday, the UIC took control of the key port of Kismayo after the defence minister's forces fled the town.
Somalia's interim prime minister has called for help against "al-Qaeda" and "terrorists" expansion in the country. The prime minister has appealed for international help against "al-Qaeda" and "terrorist" expansion.
The foreign spokesman for the UIC, Ibrahim Hassan Addow, told the BBC Ethiopian soldiers were "deep inside" Somalia, violating the "territorial integrity" of the country. The UIC have repeatedly denied having any links to al-Qaeda and say they are restoring security and stability to Somalia, which has not had an effective national government for 15 years.
Eyewitnesses have reported that hundreds of Ethiopian troops have crossed the border, heading for Baidoa - the only town controlled by the internationally recognised government. High alert
UIC fighters captured the strategic southern port of Kismayo on Sunday, where they fired at demonstrators, reportedly killing three people. "The incursion of Ethiopian troops into Somali territories is a declaration of war on Somalia," said UIC national security chairman Sheik Yusuf Indahaadde.
"We call on the international community to urge Ethiopia to withdraw its troops from Somalia. If that doesn't happen the consequences of insecurity created by Ethiopia will spread to neighbouring countries and to East Africa as a whole."
But Somali government spokesman Abduraman Dinari denied that any Ethiopia had crossed the border and said the reports were being fabricated by the Islamists to distract attention from their advance into Kismayo.
Eyewitnesses have reported that hundreds of troops wearing Ethiopian military uniforms have crossed the border and are in a military camp just outside Baidoa - the only town controlled by the internationally recognised government.
A security official in Baidoa told the BBC that his forces were on high alert and were ready to defend the town against any Islamist attack.
The UIC say they took Kismayo to prevent it being used to bring foreign peacekeepers into the country, as requested by the interim government.
They later fired at demonstrators, reportedly killing three people.
Speaking after the takeover of Kismayo, Somalia's interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi appealed for aid soon for his beleaguered government.Speaking after the takeover of Kismayo, Somalia's interim Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi appealed for aid soon for his beleaguered government.
"I would appeal to the governments of the region to join our efforts and protect the region from the expansion of this al-Qaeda network, these terrorists.""I would appeal to the governments of the region to join our efforts and protect the region from the expansion of this al-Qaeda network, these terrorists."
Running awayRunning away
Mr Ghedi also said the takeover of Kismayo had been a "violation" of a ceasefire agreed between the UIC and the interim government.Mr Ghedi also said the takeover of Kismayo had been a "violation" of a ceasefire agreed between the UIC and the interim government.
The UIC deny having any links to al-Qaeda and say they are bringing security to a lawless country.
Interim Prime Minister Ghedi's government was set up in 2004
However this was denied by Mr Addow, who told the BBC that Kismayo residents had "driven the administration over there out of the city" and that IUC "went there to give them support".
The militia seized Kismayo on Sunday without a fight, after gunmen loyal to Mr Ghedi's Defence Minister Barre Hiraale fled the town.
Earlier this month, the African Union agreed to a request by Somalia's transitional government to send in a regional peacekeeping force.Earlier this month, the African Union agreed to a request by Somalia's transitional government to send in a regional peacekeeping force.
Kismayo had been seen as a possible landing point for the peacekeepers.
Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days.Thousands of people are reported to have fled the city in recent days.
The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June.The UIC has steadily increased its hold on Somalia since its fighters took control of the capital, Mogadishu, in June.
Mr Ghedi's government was set up in 2004 after more than two years of talks designed to give Somalia its first effective national government since 1991.Mr Ghedi's government was set up in 2004 after more than two years of talks designed to give Somalia its first effective national government since 1991.