African Union Backs Ethiopian Aggression

[Castro]

Ethiopia action in Somalia backed

 

The African Union says Ethiopia has the right to intervene militarily in Somalia as it feels threatened by an Islamic militia operating there.

 

An official also admitted the African Union had failed to "react properly and adequately" to the Somali situation.

 

Ethiopian jets bombed two airports in Somalia on Monday in support of the transitional government's battle against the Union of Islamic Courts.

 

Ethiopia's prime minister has said his country is "at war" with the Islamists.

 

Fighting had flared last week between the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC), which holds most of central and southern Somalia, and Somali government forces, based around the southern town of Baidoa.

 

Ethiopia admitted for the first time on Sunday its troops were fighting in the country.

 

The UN estimates at least 8,000 Ethiopian troops may be supporting the transitional government.

 

Stabilisation force

 

Patrick Mazimhaka, the deputy chairman of the AU's Commission, told the BBC the African Union would not criticise Ethiopia as it had "given us ample warning that it feels threatened by the UIC".

 

He added: "It is up to every country to judge the measure of the threat to its own sovereignty."

 

Mr Mazimhaka said the international community had a responsibility to support the transitional government.

 

We will overcome the Ethiopian troops in our land. Our forces are alert and ready [to] defend our country

Abdirahman Janaqow

Islamic Courts spokesman

 

The African Union would meet in two days to discuss the situation, he said.

 

"The African Union must plan to get a force to intercede and stabilise the situation," Mr Mazimhaka said.

 

On Monday, Ethiopian jets bombed the international airport in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and another at Balidogle, in the south of the country.

 

Two senior leaders of the UIC, Sheikh Hassan Dahir Aweys and Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, landed at Mogadishu shortly after the air strike, a clear sign that the attack there did not disable the runway.

 

The Ethiopian government said it hit the two airports to stop "unauthorised flights", the AFP news agency reported.

 

A spokesman for the UIC, Abdirahman Janaqow, told the Associated Press the Islamists would stand firm against Ethiopia.

 

"We will overcome the Ethiopian troops in our land. Our forces are alert and ready to defend our country," he said.

 

The Islamist group has appealed for foreign fighters to join its troops in a "holy war" against Ethiopia.

 

Somali and Ethiopian troops also captured a checkpoint outside the flashpoint town of Beledweyne.

 

UIC forces then left the town, the scene of sustained fighting on Sunday.

 

There were also reports of heavy fighting at the central flashpoint of Burhakaba, close to Baidoa.

 

Red Cross plea

 

Ethiopia began attacking the UIC across a 400km (250 mile) front line along the border on Sunday.

 

PM Meles Zenawi said Ethiopia was forced to defend its sovereignty against "terrorists" and anti-Ethiopians.

 

"We are not trying to set up a government for Somalia, nor do we have an intention to meddle in Somalia internal affairs. We have only been forced by the circumstances," Mr Meles said.

 

"We want to end this war urgently and we hope that Ethiopian people stand by the defence forces."

 

The Red Cross has urged all parties to protect civilians from harm.

 

Thousands of Somalis have fled the escalating violence, and the Red Cross says the fighting is straining an already weak support system in the country.

 

Red Cross official Pedram Yazdi told the BBC that the organisation was treating 445 people injured during the fighting, including combatants and civilians.

 

Aircraft are taking some two tonnes of supplies into Somalia from Kenya each day in an effort to keep hospitals adequately supplied, he said.

 

BBC

[Taliban]

Originally posted by Castro:

African Union Backs Ethiopian Aggression

This is invasion in addition to aggression.

[QabiilDiid]

Oday ummad baa la noqdaa amase adduunka waa laga tagaa. A real Somali who has the interest of Somalia at heart has no friend at all. No arabs and africans. Let them back them ever with forces. Bring it all. Yes, Castra, you said it for me. Somalia is the best christmas present that the amxaar are getting. Have ever noticed that Somalia has always been at crossroads around christmas time since the beginning of the civil war.