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Ethiopian troops in Somali town Ethiopian troops in Somali town
(about 1 hour later)
Ethiopian troops have been seen driving around the Somali town of Baidoa, where the fragile government is based.Ethiopian troops have been seen driving around the Somali town of Baidoa, where the fragile government is based.
A BBC correspondent saw a convoy of military trucks with about 200 soldiers drive through the town centre.A BBC correspondent saw a convoy of military trucks with about 200 soldiers drive through the town centre.
Ethiopia has previously denied sending its troops into Somalia but does support the government against the increasingly powerful Islamist group.Ethiopia has previously denied sending its troops into Somalia but does support the government against the increasingly powerful Islamist group.
The Ethiopian show of strength raises fears of a regional conflict, which have led thousands of Somalis to flee. The Islamists say the Ethiopians have helped the government seize a town, raising fears of a regional conflict.
One of the Islamist leaders warned the Ethiopians to leave. Residents of the town of Buur Hakaba, 60km from Baidoa on the main road to the Islamist-controlled capital, Mogadishu, also say the town has changed hands.
The government has not yet commented on the claims.
'Grave consequences'
One of the Islamist leaders warned the Ethiopians to leave Somalia.
"Otherwise, the consequences will be grave and the pain of war will spread all over the region," said Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed after meeting Italy's envoy to Somalia, Mario Rafielli, in Mogadishu."Otherwise, the consequences will be grave and the pain of war will spread all over the region," said Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed after meeting Italy's envoy to Somalia, Mario Rafielli, in Mogadishu.
"If Ethiopia wants to shift violence inside Somalia, we will respond with violence and it will be difficult to put the peace process back on track.""If Ethiopia wants to shift violence inside Somalia, we will respond with violence and it will be difficult to put the peace process back on track."
Talks between the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Somalia's internationally recognised government are due to resume later this month, reports the AFP news agency.Talks between the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) and Somalia's internationally recognised government are due to resume later this month, reports the AFP news agency.
But the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Baidoa says relations between the government and the UIC are deteriorating.But the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Baidoa says relations between the government and the UIC are deteriorating.
Ethiopia, the US and the Somali government all accuse the UIC of having links to al-Qaeda - which it strongly denies.Ethiopia, the US and the Somali government all accuse the UIC of having links to al-Qaeda - which it strongly denies.
The UIC controls most of southern Somalia - except for a small area around Baidoa.The UIC controls most of southern Somalia - except for a small area around Baidoa.
Over the weekend, they set up a new administration in the port city of Kismayo, which they seized last month.Over the weekend, they set up a new administration in the port city of Kismayo, which they seized last month.
But our correspondent says troops loyal to the ousted leader of Kismayo, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale are preparing an attack to try and retake the city.But our correspondent says troops loyal to the ousted leader of Kismayo, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale are preparing an attack to try and retake the city.