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Heavy clashes reported in Somalia Heavy clashes reported in Somalia
(30 minutes later)
Heavy fighting is being reported on at least two fronts near the weak Somali interim government's base in Baidoa.Heavy fighting is being reported on at least two 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.
Residents say pro-government forces and the Islamic militia exchanged mortar shells at Burhakaba, 25km from Baidoa.Residents say pro-government forces and the Islamic militia exchanged mortar shells at Burhakaba, 25km from Baidoa.
A European Union envoy is in Baidoa meeting officials. There are fears an all-out war would plunge the entire Horn of Africa region into crisis.A European Union envoy is in Baidoa meeting officials. There are fears an all-out war would plunge the entire Horn of Africa region into crisis.
ClashesClashes
"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."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.
See map of flashpoints See map of flashpoints
"I can hear sounds of bullets, rockets from the side where the defence lines of the Islamic courts and the government are," a resident in the government's military base in Dayunay some 25km (15 miles) southeast of Baidoa, told Reuters. Other residents told the BBC the base was now in UIC hands, but this has not been confirmed by either side.
There is also heavy fighting and at least one death being reported near Idale, some 60km (37 miles) south of the town, after skirmishes on Tuesday evening. 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.
"Last evening, a reconnaissance team from the government and the Islamic courts clashed [in Idale]," the government's deputy defence minister, Salad Ali Jelle, told Reuters news agency on Wednesday. "I can hear sounds of bullets, rockets from the side where the defence lines of the Islamic courts and the government are," a resident in the government's military base in Dayunay some 25km (15 miles) southeast of Baidoa, told Reuters news agency.
Clashes have also broken out in Moode Moode - a village off the Dayunay-Burhakaba road.
"Islamic militias have attacked us and the fighting is continuing," the government's deputy defence minister, Salad Ali Jelle, told Associated Press news agency about the Moode Moode fighting.
There is also heavy fighting and at least one death being reported near Idale, some 60km (37 miles) south Baidoa, after skirmishes on Tuesday evening.
"Last evening, a reconnaissance team from the government and the Islamic courts clashed [in Idale]," Mr Jelle told Reuters on Wednesday.
"But this morning, ground troops from both sides exchanged mortars from a distance.""But this morning, ground troops from both sides exchanged mortars from a distance."
'Dialogue''Dialogue'
EU development chief Louis Michel also plans to travel to the capital, Mogadishu, to meet leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) on a mission to get peace talks to resume.EU development chief Louis Michel also plans to travel to the capital, Mogadishu, to meet leaders of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) on a mission to get peace talks to resume.
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."
WarWar
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.
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.
But other Islamist officials were being reported on Tuesday as saying they are "now in the last stages of preparing for full-scale war" against Ethiopian forces inside Somalia.But other Islamist officials were being reported on Tuesday 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.
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