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Somalia Islamists call for help Somalia Islamists call for help
(about 6 hours later)
The Islamist militia that controls much of southern Somalia has said the world must help it combat Ethiopia, which it has accused of invading the country.The Islamist militia that controls much of southern Somalia has said the world must help it combat Ethiopia, which it has accused of invading the country.
Islamist leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said the international community must help it fight what he described as Ethiopian interference.Islamist leader Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys said the international community must help it fight what he described as Ethiopian interference.
The Islamists' defence chief meanwhile urged Muslims worldwide to join a "holy war" against Ethiopia.The Islamists' defence chief meanwhile urged Muslims worldwide to join a "holy war" against Ethiopia.
Ethiopia denies its forces have taken part in recent heavy fighting.Ethiopia denies its forces have taken part in recent heavy fighting.
Ethiopia said the Islamists' call for foreign volunteers proved the group had links to extremists.Ethiopia said the Islamists' call for foreign volunteers proved the group had links to extremists.
Addis Abbaba has not formally acknowledged sending troops to back Somalia's transitional government in the town of Baidoa.Addis Abbaba has not formally acknowledged sending troops to back Somalia's transitional government in the town of Baidoa.
Our country is open to Muslims worldwide - let them fight in Somalia Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed SiadIslamist defence chief Q&A: Islamist advance Town on brink of war Can war be averted?Our country is open to Muslims worldwide - let them fight in Somalia Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed SiadIslamist defence chief Q&A: Islamist advance Town on brink of war Can war be averted?
It has however demanded that the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) militia stop its offensive there.It has however demanded that the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) militia stop its offensive there.
The Somali government has said its own fighters - rather than Ethiopian soldiers - have been fending off an advance by the Islamist militia.The Somali government has said its own fighters - rather than Ethiopian soldiers - have been fending off an advance by the Islamist militia.
Dozens of people have died and analysts fear the fighting could escalate into full-scale war.Dozens of people have died and analysts fear the fighting could escalate into full-scale war.
See map of flashpoints See map of flashpoints
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the escalation of conflict would "have disastrous consequences for civilians".UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the escalation of conflict would "have disastrous consequences for civilians".
Islamist defence chief Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Inda'ade" - who is regarded as a hardliner - urged foreign Muslims to join the "holy war" against Ethiopia.Islamist defence chief Sheikh Yusuf Mohamed Siad "Inda'ade" - who is regarded as a hardliner - urged foreign Muslims to join the "holy war" against Ethiopia.
"Our country is open to Muslims worldwide. Let them fight in Somalia," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying."Our country is open to Muslims worldwide. Let them fight in Somalia," Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.
Long-standing tensionsLong-standing tensions
The UIC controls the capital, Mogadishu, and has advanced towards the Ethiopian-backed transitional government's base in Baidoa.The UIC controls the capital, Mogadishu, and has advanced towards the Ethiopian-backed transitional government's base in Baidoa.
Clashes have been reported in Idale and Dinsoor, south-west of Baidoa, and Daynunay, east of the town.Clashes have been reported in Idale and Dinsoor, south-west of Baidoa, and Daynunay, east of the town.
At least 200 wounded fighters have managed to reach local hospitals, our analyst says.At least 200 wounded fighters have managed to reach local hospitals, our analyst says.
BBC regional analyst David Bamford says that if the claims by both sides about hundreds of dead are even partly true, it shows that the fighting has been the most serious in the country since the fall of Mogadishu to the UIC six months ago.BBC regional analyst David Bamford says that if the claims by both sides about hundreds of dead are even partly true, it shows that the fighting has been the most serious in the country since the fall of Mogadishu to the UIC six months ago.
Ethiopia - a mainly Christian nation - and Somalia have a history of troubled relations, and the Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa. Ethiopia - which has a large Christian population - and Somalia have a history of troubled relations, and the Islamists have long called for a holy war against Ethiopian troops in Baidoa.
On Thursday a leader of the Union of Islamic Courts said they were in a state of war with Ethiopia.On Thursday a leader of the Union of Islamic Courts said they were in a state of war with Ethiopia.
Ethiopia denies its forces are battling the advancing Islamist militias, but admits to having some military trainers in Somalia.Ethiopia denies its forces are battling the advancing Islamist militias, but admits to having some military trainers in Somalia.
A BBC correspondent earlier reported seeing a huge convoy of Ethiopian military armour near Baidoa.A BBC correspondent earlier reported seeing a huge convoy of Ethiopian military armour near Baidoa.
The UN estimates that at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country, while rival Eritrea is said to have deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group.The UN estimates that at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be in the country, while rival Eritrea is said to have deployed some 2,000 troops in support of the Islamic group.
However, Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki denied his country had troops deployed in Somalia.However, Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki denied his country had troops deployed in Somalia.
"The Somali problem lies now in the Ethiopian interference first and foremost," he told the Al-Jazeera television channel."The Somali problem lies now in the Ethiopian interference first and foremost," he told the Al-Jazeera television channel.
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