Somali Islamist forces and pro-government troops dug in on Wednesday on either side of a frontline in the divided Horn of Africa nation which has this week slid closer to all-out war.
Regional power Ethiopia, however, scoffed at an Islamist vow to attack Somali government lines unless Addis Ababa withdraws within a week troops backing the interim administration.
The Islamists on Tuesday gave Addis Ababa, which is backing the government, seven days to withdraw what it says are more than 30,000 Ethiopian troops in Somalia -- or face war.
Somali prime minister Gedi told Reuters the Islamist forces, backed by 4,000 foreign fighters spread around the south, were moving into position for a possible imminent attack on Baidoa.
"I don't think that they are ready for dialogue, for peace and stability to prevail in Somalia. In that case, war may become inevitable," he told Reuters in Nairobi, adding that government forces were ready for battle.
Still believe Islam is a religion of Peace?
2006-12-13
01:17:23
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12 answers
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asked by
Anonymous
in
Religion & Spirituality