This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6032907.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Ethiopian troops take Somali town Somalis vow holy war on Ethiopia
(about 1 hour later)
Ethiopian troops have been seen driving through the Somali town of Baidoa, where the fragile government is based, towards the Islamist-held capital. Somalia's Islamists have accused Ethiopian troops of taking a key town and have vowed a "holy war" in revenge.
The Islamists say the Ethiopians have seized a town on the road to Mogadishu, raising fears of a regional conflict. The town of Bur Haqaba lies on the road from the government base in Baidoa to the Islamist-held capital, Mogadishu.
A BBC reporter in Baidoa saw a convoy of army trucks with about 200 troops. Ethiopia denies that its troops have crossed the border but does support the government against the Islamists.
Ethiopia has previously denied sending its troops into Somalia but does support the government against the increasingly powerful Islamist group. An Islamist leader, wearing fatigues and holding an AK-47, said a "jihad" had been declared on Ethiopia, raising fears of a regional conflict.
This is the first time that pro-government forces have gained territory since June, when the Union of Islamic Courts took control of Mogadishu and then went on to seize most of southern Somalia, except for a small area around Baidoa. "Heavily armed Ethiopian troops have invaded Somalia," said Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, seen as a moderate within the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).
Government forces may also be preparing a second front. "They have captured Bur Haqaba. History shows that Somalis always win when they are attacked from outside."
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Baidoa says troops loyal to the ousted leader of Kismayo, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale are preparing to try and retake the city, which the UIC seized last month. Second front
'Grave consequences' Residents of the town, 60km from Baidoa on the main road to Mogadishu, also say government fighters backed up by Ethiopians, have taken the town.
Residents of the town of Buur Hakaba, 60km from Baidoa on the main road to Mogadishu, say government fighters backed up by Ethiopians, have taken the town.
"Our militia has retreated from the town as the Ethiopians moved in," said Mohamed Ibrahim Bilial, whose forces are loyal to the Islamists.
"We will recapture the town," he told The Associated Press.
The government has not yet commented on the claims.The government has not yet commented on the claims.
One of the Islamist leaders warned the Ethiopians to leave Somalia. This is the first time that pro-government forces have gained territory since June, when the UIC took control of Mogadishu and then went on to seize most of southern Somalia, except for a small area around Baidoa.
"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. Earlier, the BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in Baidoa saw a convoy of Ethiopian army trucks pass through, with about 200 troops.
"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." Government forces may also be preparing a second front.
Talks between the UIC and Somalia's internationally recognised government are due to resume later this month, reports the AFP news agency. Our reporter says troops loyal to the ousted leader of Kismayo, Defence Minister Barre Hiraale are preparing to try and retake the city, which the UIC seized last month.
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 - Over the weekend, they set up a new administration in the port city of Kismayo, which they seized last month. The UIC controls most of southern Somalia - over the weekend, they set up a new administration in the port city of Kismayo, which they seized last month.
Somalia has not had a functioning national government since 1991.