Army prepares to oust Somali fighters By Mike Pflanz, East Africa Correspondent Last Updated: 12:19am GMT 01/01/2007 Fighting erupted late yesterday in southern Somalia as government troops prepared their final onslaught against Islamist forces who, until last week, controlled most of the country. Fearful residents in the southern town of Jilib reported hearing artillery and gunfire. Thousands have fled to the fields as the Islamists began what is likely to be their last stand against their rivals and their Ethiopian allies. After being pushed out of their stronghold in Mogadishu, an ultra-loyal rump of 3,000 fighters of the Islamic Courts...