Posted on 12/26/2006 6:58:34 AM PST by meg88
Ethiopian troops advance on Mogadishu
December 27, 2006
ETHIOPIAN troops are advancing on the Somali capital and could seize it within two days.
Somalia's envoy to Ethiopia said yesterday: "Ethiopian forces are on their way to Mogadishu. They are about 70 kilometres away and it is possible they could capture it in the next 24 to 48 hours."
Addis Ababa has vowed to protect Somalia's weak interim Government from rival Islamists based in Mogadishu, and a week of artillery and mortar duels between the two sides has spiralled into open war that both sides say has killed hundreds.
Islamist fighters have retreated from the front line, with troops loyal to the Union of Islamic Courts withdrawing more than 50 kilometres to the south-east from Daynuney, a town just south of the Government's headquarters of Baidoa.
Ethiopian jets fired missiles at the retreating soldiers yesterday, after bombing Somalia's two Islamist-held international airports on Monday.
While the Government hailed the retreat as a partial victory, the Islamists insisted their withdrawal and re-grouping was a tactic in what they vowed would be a long war.
The Islamist forces also abandoned their main stronghold in Bur Haqaba and were forming convoys heading towards the capital Mogadishu, reported residents in villages along the road.
"We woke up from our sleep this morning and the town was empty of troops, not a single Islamic fighter," said Ibrahim Muhammad Aden, a resident of Bur Haqaba. Another resident said locals were looting the food left behind.
Islamic fighters were also reportedly retreating on two other fronts in the war for control of Somalia. On the northern front, Government and Ethiopian troops entered the town of Bulo Barde, where two weeks ago a Muslim cleric said anyone who did not pray five times a day would be executed.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced on Saturday that he had sent troops into Somalia to fight international terrorists, defend Ethiopian interests and prop up the besieged UN-backed Government, which has only a small military force.
But Mr Zenawi has said he does not intend to keep his forces in Somalia for long. He has told visiting dignitaries in Addis Ababa that his goal is to severely damage the Islamic Courts' military capabilities, take away their sense of invincibility and allow both sides to return to peace talks on an even footing.
The Islamic group, which wants to rule the country by the Koran, has been a source of grave concern for Ethiopia. Since June, it has seized control of the capital and much of southern Somalia.
No reliable casualty reports are available. Both sides claim to have killed hundreds of their enemy, but independent observers were not given access to the battlefield. The Arab League, which has mediated several rounds of talks between the Somali Government and the Islamists, called for all parties involved to "immediately hold a comprehensive ceasefire".
Many Somalis are enraged by Ethiopian involvement - the countries have fought two wars over their disputed border in the past 45 years.
Somalia has not had an effective government since warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, plunging the country into chaos.
AP, REUTERS
Very well said !!!!
As long as the Ethiopians are up to the task, the West should stay out of it!!
I have a hunch that they are not going to be one teensy bit squeemish about using any tactic at all that is effective in erradicating the problem - even panties on the head, if that's what it takes. We best stay behind the scene.
I hate it when freepers mimic the MSM.......
Notice how a Third World country with a fifth rate military is kicking the Islamofascists in the rear because they are not playing "gentlemen" with them. We must unleash our military if we are to win.
No, Somalia Islamofascists delandae sunt.
Answered my own question: The Ogaden War
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/somalia3.htm
Welcome Ethipia to WWIII! Our new allies fighting a war against tyranny and oppressive "religion" designed by a sixth century bill klintoon. This war will touch everyone one the planet before it is all said, and done.
>I wonder if they'd be calling for the same should
>Islamofascists have invaded Ethiopia.
This is a sure sign the Muslims are losing.
>Third World country with a fifth rate military is kicking
>the Islamofascists
Some of the other posts in this thread indicate that the Ethiopian solider is magnificently brave and professional.
"Witnesses reported an unmarked C-130 circling above Galkaayo, close to Puntland." CNN Cache
Since when do we use The Peter Arnet News service as a source...for anything?
They are obviously doing a great job - and they don't have our strength or weaponry. Imagine if WE REALLY TRIED TO KICK BUTT IN IRAQ.
That link was to show that even an enemy website originally mentioned the C-130.
If you look further, you will see that the link is to a cache entry. At the top of that page there should be a link to the CNN "REVISED" page. The reference to the C-130 has disappeared down the memory hole!
Keep an eye on that guy. He's as dangerous as his co-worker in the ISG, Vernon Jordan.
No...not kidding.
You do it through ridicule and propaganda.
The LEFT knows this fact...and they use it to support that same enemy.
IEDs and car bombings cannot defeat any military.
IEDs and car bombings are only useful in generating propaganda or assassinations.
Blackhawk Down
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