Free Republic

Bodies of Ethiopian troops dragged through streets of Mogadishu By Mohamed Sheikh Nor, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MOGADISHU, Somalia - Islamic insurgents clashed with Ethiopian troops in Somalia's capital today in battles that killed 12 people and wounded 10 others. Witnesses say jubilant supporters of the insurgents dragged the bodies of four dead Ethiopian soldiers through the streets Mogadishu. Eight civilians were also killed in the fighting.

About 300 Ethiopian troops crossed into Somalia on Saturday, a top Islamist said, after Islamic fighters who wrested control of Mogadishu moved inland toward the seat of Somalia's interim government. Ethiopia immediately denied sending soldiers in but warned the Islamists not to cross the border, where reports say Ethiopia has been massing soldiers for days.

Excerpt - JOWHAR, Somalia - The leader of Somalia's Islamic Courts Union said that 300 Ethiopian troops crossed into the country Saturday. The Ethiopian troops entered Somalia through the border town of Dolow in the southwestern region of Gedo at 8 a.m., Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, chairman of the Islamic Courts Union, told journalists. Ahmed said that it was not clear where they were going or what they were going to do. ~ snip ~