This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6207427.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Fresh upsurge in Somalia fighting Ethiopia admits Somalia offensive
(40 minutes later)
Fighting has intensified in Somalia, with reports of Ethiopian troops and aircraft attacking positions held by Islamic militiamen. Ethiopia has for the time said its troops are fighting Islamic militiamen that control much of Somalia.
Ethiopia backs the government, which has lost control of much of Somalia to the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). Ethiopia's information minister said his country's forces had launched "self-defensive measures" against the Islamic Courts Union (UIC).
Ethiopian fighters bombarded the UIC-held town of Beledweyne near the Ethiopian border, eyewitnesses say. Ethiopia had previously admitted to sending only army trainers to Somalia.
Clashes were also reported near the government-held town of Baidoa on the fifth day of renewed fighting. In the latest fighting between the UIC and the weak, Ethiopian-backed government, air strikes and shelling are being reported in border areas.
The UIC has vowed to drive out Ethiopian troops which it says are fighting alongside government forces. On Sunday eyewitnesses said Ethiopian fighters were bombarding the UIC-held town of Beledweyne near the border, on the fifth day of renewed fighting.
The Islamic group - which controls most of the south, including the capital, Mogadishu - on Saturday appealed for foreign fighters to join them a "holy war" against Ethiopia. "The enemy of Allah has started bombing our civilians," Sheikh Hassan Derrow told AFP news agency.
Regional fears [Ethiopia] has started counter-attacking the aggressive extremist forces of the Islamic Courts and foreign terrorist groups Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu href="/1/hi/world/africa/4760775.stm" class="">Q&A: Islamist advance href="/1/hi/world/africa/6200047.stm" class="">Town on brink of war href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5077&edition=2&ttl=20061223110941" class="">Can war be averted?
An UIC commander on Sunday said Ethiopian planes were bombing the Beledweyne area, about 190 miles (300 km) north of the capital Mogadishu.
We see planes striking us and heavy fighting on the ground intensifying Beledweyne resident Q&A: Islamist advance Town on brink of war Can war be averted? "The enemy of Allah has started bombing our civilians," Sheikh Hassan Derrow told AFP news agency.
A resident told AFP: "We see planes striking us and heavy fighting on the ground intensifying."A resident told AFP: "We see planes striking us and heavy fighting on the ground intensifying."
There was no immediate comment from Ethiopia. Ethiopian Information Minister Berhan Hailu later said: "The Ethiopian government has taken self-defensive measures and started counter-attacking the aggressive extremist forces of the Islamic Courts and foreign terrorist groups."
The UIC has vowed to drive out Ethiopian troops which it says have been fighting alongside government forces for months.
The Islamic group - which controls most of the south, including the capital, Mogadishu - on Saturday appealed for foreign fighters to join them in a "holy war" against Ethiopia.
The conflict is also reported to have spread to the Galkayo area further north.The conflict is also reported to have spread to the Galkayo area further north.
Ethiopia has not formally acknowledged sending troops to back Somalia's transitional government, but admits sending military trainers.
The Somali government has said its own fighters - rather than Ethiopian soldiers - have been fending off an advance by the UIC.
Both sides say they have killed hundreds of people since the fighting began on Tuesday - although aid agencies report dozens of dead.Both sides say they have killed hundreds of people since the fighting began on Tuesday - although aid agencies report dozens of dead.
The recent clashes have heightened fears of a regional war.The recent clashes have heightened fears of a regional war.
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.
Are you or anyone you know near conflict zone? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below.Are you or anyone you know near conflict zone? Please send us your experiences and contact details using the post form below.
Name
 Name