re: puntlanders and ethiopians win battle for town Conflict between Somali Islamists and Ethiopia escalates 24 Dec 24, 2006, 17:45
BAIDOA, Somalia Dec 24 (Garowe Online) - The Ethiopian air force bombarded parts of Somalia on Sunday in a move that dramatically escalated conflict in the volatile Horn of Africa country.
Somali and allied Ethiopian troops took control of Idale village on the 6th consecutive day of bloody battles against forces loyal to the Islamic Courts movement that controls the Somali capital Mogadishu and much of the south-central regions.
Fighting also continued around Deynunay village where the government maintains a huge army base.
New battlefronts opened up in the central regions, as Ethiopian warplanes bombed targets in Jawil and Kalabeyr villages in Hiran region, and Bandiradley town of Mudug region.
Bandiradley lies on the main highway south of the Puntland regional autonomy.
Somali militias loyal to Puntland and to ex-Mogadishu warlord Col. Abdi Qeybdiid fought alongside Ethiopian troops and finally succeeded in taking control of Bandiradley town, according to reliable sources.
Spokespeople for both sides have claimed victory in the ongoing battles.
At least 60 wounded fighters were brought to hospitals in Galkayo from the Bandiradley battlefront, medical sources confirmed.
Exact casualty figures are difficult to independently confirm because the fighting is still ongoing.
Garowe Online News
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