Somali government shuts borders

2006-12-25 12:57

Two Somali children ride on the back of the donkey with their belongings near the central town of Buur on the road from Baidoa to Mogadishu to escape fighting. (Mohamed Sheikh Nor, AP)

Nairobi - Somalia's encircled interim government said on Monday that it had closed all land, air and sea borders of the Horn of African nation.

The government is encircled by Council of Islamic Court fighters in its south-central provincial base of Baidoa and has no control over its borders.

"The government has decided to close our borders, air space and sea space," said government spokesperson Abdirahman Dinari.

"We are requesting the international community, especially neighbouring states, to help us effect this."

The government is defended by neighbouring Ethiopia, which began launching air strikes against the Islamic fighters on Sunday.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says he is waging war against the religious movement to protect his nation's sovereignty, intensifying a conflict that threatens to engulf Somalia.

Somalia officials and residents said Ethiopian jets attacked Mogadishu International Airport on Monday, wounding at least one person.

- Reuters