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| Somali Islamists battle advance | Somali Islamists battle advance |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Somali Islamist militiamen are fighting Ethiopian and Somali government troops advancing towards their last major stronghold in the port of Kismayo. | Somali Islamist militiamen are fighting Ethiopian and Somali government troops advancing towards their last major stronghold in the port of Kismayo. |
| Artillery fire has been reported near the town of Jilib, close to Kismayo. | Artillery fire has been reported near the town of Jilib, close to Kismayo. |
| Ethiopian fighter jets have also been flying low over Kismayo, reports say. Residents have been fleeing the area. | Ethiopian fighter jets have also been flying low over Kismayo, reports say. Residents have been fleeing the area. |
| The Islamist militia has vowed to resist the Ethiopian and Somali government troops who forced them out of the capital on Thursday. | The Islamist militia has vowed to resist the Ethiopian and Somali government troops who forced them out of the capital on Thursday. |
| Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has said his forces are "ready to fight the enemy of Allah" and had only left the capital, Mogadishu "to prevent bloodshed". | Islamist leader Sheikh Sharif Ahmed has said his forces are "ready to fight the enemy of Allah" and had only left the capital, Mogadishu "to prevent bloodshed". |
| Some 3,000 Islamist fighters are believed to be in Kismayo, some 300 km (185 miles) south-east of Mogadishu, towards the Kenyan border. | Some 3,000 Islamist fighters are believed to be in Kismayo, some 300 km (185 miles) south-east of Mogadishu, towards the Kenyan border. |
| Ethiopian artillery and troops officially entered Somalia, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa. | Ethiopian artillery and troops officially entered Somalia, joining fighters loyal to Somalia's interim government, to repel an Islamist assault on the government stronghold of Baidoa. |
| Border reinforced | |
| Clashes are being reported in several towns near Jilib. | Clashes are being reported in several towns near Jilib. |
| "Fighting has started," a resident of the town of Bulobaley told Reuters news agency. "Several mortars and rockets have hit the town." | "Fighting has started," a resident of the town of Bulobaley told Reuters news agency. "Several mortars and rockets have hit the town." |
| Q&A: Somali conflict Eyewitness: Fear and anger Conflict in pictures | |
| "Most of the mortars and rockets that have hit the town have fallen on deserted houses. I don't know if there are any wounded," the resident, who did not wish to be named, said. | "Most of the mortars and rockets that have hit the town have fallen on deserted houses. I don't know if there are any wounded," the resident, who did not wish to be named, said. |
| Thousands of civilians in the area around Jilib have been fleeing their homes in anticipation of heavy fighting. | Thousands of civilians in the area around Jilib have been fleeing their homes in anticipation of heavy fighting. |
| The BBC's Peter Biles says Jilib is a gateway to the south of the country and the Islamist militia are likely to use the town to block any further advance. | The BBC's Peter Biles says Jilib is a gateway to the south of the country and the Islamist militia are likely to use the town to block any further advance. |
| He says the Islamists could find themselves trapped between Kismayo and the Kenyan border. | He says the Islamists could find themselves trapped between Kismayo and the Kenyan border. |
| Kenya has re-enforced security along its border in an effort to prevent Islamist militiamen from crossing over. | Kenya has re-enforced security along its border in an effort to prevent Islamist militiamen from crossing over. |
| Food shortages | |
| Somalia's interim government has called for talks with the Islamists. | |
| However, the Islamists say they will not enter any dialogue unless Ethiopian forces vacate the country. | |
| Ethiopia accuses the Islamist militia of harbouring terrorists. | |
| The militia has its origins in a Union of Islamic Courts, known as the UIC, that was established to restore order in Mogadishu. | |
| The UIC assumed control of the capital in June, driving warlords out and rapidly extending its influence to much of southern Somalia. | |
| Some analysts say the UIC's popularity stemmed from its ability to transcend the clan enmities that have bedevilled Somalia since the overthrow of former President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. | |
| Almost all Somalis are Muslim, and after years of lawlessness many were happy to have some kind of law and order under the UIC. | |
| Much of Somalia faces food shortages because of recent heavy floods. | |
| The UN estimates that about 30,000 people have been displaced during the fighting, and casualties have been high. |