Militia calls for jihad support

2006-12-24 07:30

Mogadishu, Somalia - The Islamic militants who want to govern Somalia according to the Qu'ran have invited foreign Muslims to join their holy war against Ethiopian troops after four days of fighting in this volatile nation threatened to escalate into a regional battle.

"Muslims are brothers and help each other," Sheik Yusuf Indahaadde, national security chairman for the Council of Islamic Courts, said Saturday. "We have a right to call our brothers and sisters to help us in this holy war."

The Islamic council has vowed to drive out troops from neighbouring Ethiopia, a largely Christian nation that is providing military support to Somalia's UN-backed government. Ethiopia denies that its forces are fighting, saying it has sent only military trainers.

The clashes could mean a major conflict in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia, which has one of the largest armies in the region, and its bitter rival, Eritrea, could use Somalia as the ground for a proxy war. Eritrea backs the Islamists.

In Kismayo, a strategic seaport captured from the government by Islamic militia in September, residents saw several foreign Arab fighters disembarking from ships this week.

Ibrahim Hassan Adow, the Islamic group's foreign affairs chief, said the Islamic group will not negotiate with the government because the administration is the "puppet of another foreign country." He also denounced the United States, saying Washington should be calling on Ethiopia to withdraw its troops.

Somali Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi vowed that his government will "defend the people it is responsible for and Somali sovereignty" and said the Islamic fighters should return to negotiations. Several rounds of talks, mediated by the Arab League, have failed to produce any lasting effect.

"They will be responsible for any consequences that may result from rejecting our call," Gedi said.

The Arab League expressed deep concern Saturday over the standoff in Somalia, calling on both sides, "especially the Islamic courts, to seek dialogue in resolving the dispute." Egypt's foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, also called for end to the fighting, saying the Somali people are suffering "due to this irresponsible armed confrontation."

Hundreds of people have been killed since fighting broke out Tuesday. Sporadic gunfire and shelling could be heard Friday around Baidoa, the government's only stronghold, although fighting appeared to have tapered off. But four Ethiopian attack helicopters and about 20 tanks were seen headed for battle, witnesses and a government official said.

Thousands of Somalis have fled their homes as troops loyal to the two-year-old interim administration fought Islamic fighters who had advanced on Baidoa, about 250 kilometres northwest of Mogadishu. Islamic militiamen control Mogadishu along with most of southern Somalia.

- AP