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Fresh fighting erupts between the government and Islamist backers in Bai region.
Wednesday Nov. 22, 2006
8:30 AM
By Sh.M.Network
Fresh clashes between the Somali government forces accompanied by the Ethiopian troops and pro-Islamist fighters have reportedly occurred in Edale environs in Bai province, southern Somalia.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that there were heavy casualties of both sides.
The news came as Muktar Robow Abu-Mansor, the Union of Islamic Courts assistant security chief has told Shabelle Radio Tuesday that two Ethiopian armored trucks were once again blown up by residential militias in Kansah Omane environs near Bardale district in Bai province, southern Somalia.
The transitional government was not available for comments over the clashes.
Experts say the fighting that is slowly beginning between the Ethiopian backed government and the Union of Islamic Courts fighters might escalate into a bigger war that would trigger an all-out war in a country that was in racial war for 16 years.
Islamic Courts took control of central and southernmost of Somalia, including the capital Mogadishu early June this year.
These latest skirmishes lasted hours as the government forces were trying to hunt down pro-Islamist assailants hiding in the jungle and blowing Ethiopian vehicles up.
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