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Heavy clashes reported in Somalia Heavy clashes reported in Somalia
(10 minutes later)
Heavy fighting is being reported on several fronts near the weak Somali interim government's base in Baidoa.Heavy fighting is being reported on several fronts near the weak Somali interim government's base in Baidoa.
A deadline from Islamists for Ethiopia to withdraw troops from Somalia or face "major attacks" expired on Tuesday.A deadline from Islamists for Ethiopia to withdraw troops from Somalia or face "major attacks" expired on Tuesday.
There are fears that all-out war in Somalia would plunge the entire Horn of Africa region into a serious crisis.There are fears that all-out war in Somalia would plunge the entire Horn of Africa region into a serious crisis.
A European Union envoy in Baidoa has met officials to push for peace between the government and Islamist forces which control much of the country. A European Union envoy is in Baidoa meeting officials to push for peace between the government and Islamist forces which control much of Somalia.
"I can confirm to you that heavy fighting has already started around several front line areas," Islamic commander Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal told AFP news agency. Government commander Ibrahim Batari accused the Islamists of mounting the attack.
"There is shelling everywhere...our forces are facing Islamists, hell is going on," he said. "I can confirm to you that heavy fighting has already started around several front line areas," Islamic commander Sheikh Mohamed Ibrahim Bilal told AFP news agency.
Residents in Islamist held Burhakaba and the government's forward base in Dayunay said heavy shooting had erupted between the the two towns - which is some 25 km (15 miles) southeast of Baidoa Government commander Ibrahim Batari accused the Islamists of mounting the attack. "There is shelling everywhere... our forces are facing Islamists, hell is going on," he said.
There is also heavy fighting and at least one death being reported near Idale, some 60km south of the town.
See map of potential flashpoints See map of potential flashpoints
Residents in Islamist-held Burhakaba and the government's forward base in Dayunay said heavy shooting had erupted between the two towns - which is some 25 km (15 miles) southeast of Baidoa
There is also heavy fighting and at least one death being reported near Idale, some 60km south of the town.
'Dialogue''Dialogue'
Mr Michel also plans to travel to the capital, Mogadishu, to meet leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). EU development chief Louis Michel also plans to travel to the capital, Mogadishu, to meet leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).
The BBC's Adam Mynott in Baidoa says the town is in a precarious situation, with guns seen everywhere.The BBC's Adam Mynott in Baidoa says the town is in a precarious situation, with guns seen everywhere.
There are soldiers armed with AK-47s, technicals - pick-up trucks mounted with heavy weapons - and Ethiopian troops at Baidoa airport, he says.There are soldiers armed with AK-47s, technicals - pick-up trucks mounted with heavy weapons - and Ethiopian troops at Baidoa airport, he says.
The Islamists have been receiving assistance from EritreaThe Islamists have been receiving assistance from Eritrea
Mr Michel has held talks with Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi, and is meeting with MPs before flying to the capital.Mr Michel has held talks with Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Ghedi, and is meeting with MPs before flying to the capital.
On Tuesday, Ethiopian Information Minister Birhan Hailu told the BBC that his country was always ready for dialogue, but said the Islamists were not willing to talk with the transitional government.On Tuesday, Ethiopian Information Minister Birhan Hailu told the BBC that his country was always ready for dialogue, but said the Islamists were not willing to talk with the transitional government.
"We don't have troops in Somalia, but as we have said so many times, we have a limited number of military advisers to support the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia."We don't have troops in Somalia, but as we have said so many times, we have a limited number of military advisers to support the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
"The Ethiopian government is always ready to have peace talks with anybody in Somalia, and we wish a peaceful solution to the problem in Somalia.""The Ethiopian government is always ready to have peace talks with anybody in Somalia, and we wish a peaceful solution to the problem in Somalia."
Earlier this week, the UIC appeared to backtrack on an ultimatum for Ethiopians troops to leave Somalia or face a holy war.Earlier this week, the UIC appeared to backtrack on an ultimatum for Ethiopians troops to leave Somalia or face a holy war.
UIC spokesman Abdi-Rahiin Ali Mudey said the Islamists would not attack the Ethiopians or Baidoa, but wanted talks.UIC spokesman Abdi-Rahiin Ali Mudey said the Islamists would not attack the Ethiopians or Baidoa, but wanted talks.
WarWar
But other Islamist officials are being reported as saying they are "now in the last stages of preparing for full-scale war" against Ethiopian forces inside Somalia.But other Islamist officials are being reported as saying they are "now in the last stages of preparing for full-scale war" against Ethiopian forces inside Somalia.
The government says talks could resume if the Islamists stopped making threats. Last week, interim President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed ruled out any further talks.The government says talks could resume if the Islamists stopped making threats. Last week, interim President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed ruled out any further talks.
Islamic leaders deny accusations of al-Qaeda links.Islamic leaders deny accusations of al-Qaeda links.
Minor clashes have broken out between the two rivals, the most recent in Idale, but neither side has launched a large offensive.Minor clashes have broken out between the two rivals, the most recent in Idale, but neither side has launched a large offensive.
"Last evening, a reconnaissance team from the government and the Islamic courts clashed. But this morning, ground troops from both sides exchanged mortars from a distance," the government's deputy defence minister, Salad Ali Jelle, told Reuteres news agency on Wednesday. "Last evening, a reconnaissance team from the government and the Islamic courts clashed. But this morning, ground troops from both sides exchanged mortars from a distance," the government's deputy defence minister, Salad Ali Jelle, told Reuters news agency on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the movement was prepared for "dialogue" with Ethiopia.On Saturday, Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed said the movement was prepared for "dialogue" with Ethiopia.
In Yemen, he announced a deal with the speaker of the Somali parliament to resume talks after they collapsed last month.In Yemen, he announced a deal with the speaker of the Somali parliament to resume talks after they collapsed last month.
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