Somalia: Ethiopian bodies seen in Idale town

Mohamed Abdi Farah
(SomaliNet) The Islamic Courts Union fighters have taken full control of Idale town near Baidoa city later today after they defeated the rival Ethiopian troops as independent journalists at scene confirmed. Sources say that the Islamists pushed the Ethiopians back after several hours of gun battle, which caused casualties on both sides. The Ethiopians retreated back.
A team of journalists who later today reached Idale town, the zone of today’s clashes reported that they have seen and taken photo shots of dozens of dead Ethiopian soldiers laid on ground. Islamic officials here in Mogadishu claimed that their fighters are advancing towards Baidoa city and captured the main defense lines of Ethiopians troops. The government officials in Baidoa denied the Islamist claim as rumor and cheap propaganda. The officials said they still control Idale town and their forces are fighting with what they called ‘the terrorist-backed Islamist militia’ who are on the offensive to Baidoa, the seat of the transitional federal government in southwest of Somalia.
The ICU repeated its call on foreign Jihadists to join the war with Ethiopia if the world does not break the silence and told the Ethiopians to quit Somalia as soon as possible. Islamist leaders accused Addis Ababa of willing to occupy Somalia territory and vowed to die for the defense of the land till the end of their last one.
SomaliNet