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Somali fighters in fresh battles Somali fighters in fresh battles
(about 2 hours later)
Artillery exchanges are taking place in Somalia between Islamist militia and government fighters for a third day. Artillery exchanges are taking place in Somalia between Islamist militia and government fighters for a fourth day.
The clashes come a day after a leader of the Union of Islamic Courts, which controls much of the south, said they are in a state of war with Ethiopia.The clashes come a day after a leader of the Union of Islamic Courts, which controls much of the south, said they are in a state of war with Ethiopia.
Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties. An eyewitness in a village near the government's Baidoa base reports seeing many dead bodies.Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy casualties. An eyewitness in a village near the government's Baidoa base reports seeing many dead bodies.
Ethiopian troops and tanks have reinforced positions south of Baidoa.Ethiopian troops and tanks have reinforced positions south of Baidoa.
The fighting has been reported in several villages along approach roads to Baidoa.The fighting has been reported in several villages along approach roads to Baidoa.
Aid workers say many civilians are fleeing the area.Aid workers say many civilians are fleeing the area.
Ethiopia denies its forces are battling the advancing Islamist militias.Ethiopia denies its forces are battling the advancing Islamist militias.
See map of flashpoints See map of flashpoints
The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the capital, Mogadishu, says heavy shelling began again at midnight in Daynunay, 20km (12 miles) from Baidoa, where the government has a military base.The BBC's Mohammed Olad Hassan in the capital, Mogadishu, says heavy shelling began again at midnight in Daynunay, 20km (12 miles) from Baidoa, where the government has a military base.
All Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia Sheikh Hassan Dahir AweysUIC leader Q&A: Islamist advance Town on brink of warAll Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia Sheikh Hassan Dahir AweysUIC leader Q&A: Islamist advance Town on brink of war
The shelling was reported to have calmed by morning, although gunfire could still be heard.The shelling was reported to have calmed by morning, although gunfire could still be heard.
Eyewitnesses say dead bodies can be seen on the streets of Moode Moode, a nearby village, where there were clashes earlier in the week.Eyewitnesses say dead bodies can be seen on the streets of Moode Moode, a nearby village, where there were clashes earlier in the week.
In Idale, 60km (37 miles) southwest of Baidoa, the fighting has continued unabated.In Idale, 60km (37 miles) southwest of Baidoa, the fighting has continued unabated.
"Unlike during the previous days of the fighting, this morning large numbers of people were coming from the villages around Baidoa and could be seen fleeing from the region," Associated Press news agency quotes Duqow Salad, a UN aid worker north of Baidoa, as saying on Friday."Unlike during the previous days of the fighting, this morning large numbers of people were coming from the villages around Baidoa and could be seen fleeing from the region," Associated Press news agency quotes Duqow Salad, a UN aid worker north of Baidoa, as saying on Friday.
Our correspondent says there is a fear the battles could escalate into full-scale war.Our correspondent says there is a fear the battles could escalate into full-scale war.
"All Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia," UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said on Thursday."All Somalis should take part in this struggle against Ethiopia," UIC leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said on Thursday.
Somalia and Ethiopia have a long history of troubled relations, and Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa.Somalia and Ethiopia have a long history of troubled relations, and Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa.
Are you near Baidoa? Send us your experiencesAre you near Baidoa? Send us your experiences
Both the Islamist and interim government agreed to a ceasefire and to unconditional talks on Wednesday after a visit by EU envoy Louis Michel.Both the Islamist and interim government agreed to a ceasefire and to unconditional talks on Wednesday after a visit by EU envoy Louis Michel.
The Islamists have called for all Somalis to fight EthiopiaThe Islamists have called for all Somalis to fight Ethiopia
A nine-point memorandum of understanding included agreement to begin talks again without preconditions, he said.A nine-point memorandum of understanding included agreement to begin talks again without preconditions, he said.
The UIC set aside a demand that Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia as a precondition for talks, Mr Michel added, although it remained a major grievance. Both sides have blamed each other for the fighting.The UIC set aside a demand that Ethiopian troops withdraw from Somalia as a precondition for talks, Mr Michel added, although it remained a major grievance. Both sides have blamed each other for the fighting.
The UIC has introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 16 years and denies links to al-Qaeda.The UIC has introduced law and order to the capital and much of southern Somalia for the first time in 16 years and denies links to al-Qaeda.
Ethiopia has admitted to having some military trainers in Somalia, but our correspondent says that as he drove to the airport in Baidoa on Wednesday, he was stopped by a huge convoy of Ethiopian military armour.Ethiopia has admitted to having some military trainers in Somalia, but our correspondent says that as he drove to the airport in Baidoa on Wednesday, he was stopped by a huge convoy of Ethiopian military armour.
The United Nations estimates that at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country backing the government while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group.The United Nations estimates that at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country backing the government while regional rival Eritrea has deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group.
Other countries are thought to have become involved in arming both sides.Other countries are thought to have become involved in arming both sides.
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Are you or anyone you know near Baidoa? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below.Are you or anyone you know near Baidoa? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below.
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